Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi joined diplomats from five Southeast Asian nations in Beijing on March 23, 2026, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework. The event marked a milestone in regional water resource management and economic collaboration across the Mekong Basin.
Representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the reception, reflecting continued engagement with the China-led initiative established in 2016. Wang emphasized the mechanism's role in fostering "practical cooperation and mutual development" through 132 joint projects completed over the past decade.
Key achievements highlighted include a 58% increase in regional trade volume since 2016 and the completion of three cross-border power grid connections. Recent infrastructure developments include the new Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway, partially funded through LMC financing mechanisms.
Looking ahead, Wang announced plans to expand digital economy cooperation and climate resilience programs in 2026. The LMC's evolving agenda continues to draw attention from international investors eyeing Southeast Asia's $3.2 trillion combined GDP market.
