The ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting concluded on Friday in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with participants agreeing to enhance connectivity and deepen cooperation across various sectors.
The LMC, comprising China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, aims to promote regional collaboration and development.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who co-chaired the meeting, highlighted the significant accomplishments of the LMC nations in building a community with a shared future. He emphasized that these efforts have delivered tangible benefits to the people of the six countries and have greatly contributed to regional stability and prosperity.
Also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Wang Yi noted that China’s comprehensive reforms and advancement of Chinese modernization offer new opportunities for modernization efforts worldwide.
Expressing China’s commitment to shared progress, Wang Yi proposed that China and the LMC countries lead the way in establishing demonstration zones for high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. He also suggested creating pilot zones for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative to foster a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future.
Looking ahead, Wang Yi outlined a four-point proposal to deepen Lancang-Mekong cooperation:
- Focus on maintaining peace and stability and uphold a common vision.
- Focus on innovation-driven development and bridge the digital divide.
- Focus on interconnected development and enhance growth momentum.
- Focus on people-to-people exchanges and cultivate Lancang-Mekong culture.
Participants at the meeting praised the rapid growth of the LMC, considering it the most fruitful and dynamic mechanism in the region. They commended China’s role in supporting practical cooperation projects through the LMC Special Fund, which has effectively narrowed development gaps, facilitated ASEAN integration, and benefited the people of the LMC countries.
The parties committed to enhancing practical cooperation in areas such as connectivity, investment, innovation, food security, energy, water resources, climate change, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and jointly combating cross-border crime.
They reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the momentum of Lancang-Mekong cooperation and to jointly addressing challenges to promote subregional sustainable development, improve people’s well-being, and ensure regional peace and stability.
Following the meeting, participants issued a joint press release and statements on deepening LMC cooperation in water resources, clean air, and combating cross-border crime.
A report was also released reviewing the progress made in 2023 in implementing the LMC five-year action plan (2023–2027), the 2024 list of projects supported by the LMC Special Fund, and a list of implemented items from the Lancang-Mekong agricultural cooperation action plan. Additionally, a think tank report outlined common aspirations and implementation paths for building a community with a shared future among the LMC countries.
Prior to the meeting, the foreign ministers visited an exhibition showcasing achievements in projects supported by the LMC Special Fund.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Wang Yi held separate meetings with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
Reference(s):
Wang Yi makes 4-point proposal on deepening Lancang-Mekong cooperation
cgtn.com
