A series of senior officials' meetings on East Asia cooperation will be held in Laos this weekend.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, made the announcement at a regular press conference on Thursday. It's the first time for Laos to hold such meetings since it assumed the rotating presidency of ASEAN.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin will lead a delegation to the northern ancient city of LU-ang PRA-bang. The senior officials' meetings include one between ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea; one for the East Asia Summit; and that of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Hong Lei said the meetings will focus on the development of cooperation mechanisms and practical cooperation across the board. Participants will exchange views on international and regional issues of common interest. They will also lay the groundwork for the leaders' meetings and foreign ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation to be held later this year.