Mekong countries vow to boost Lancang-Mekong cooperation with China

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting via video link at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2020. The meeting was co-chaired by Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos, and attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia, President U Win Myint of Myanmar, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand, and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Leaders of the Mekong countries on Monday vowed to work together with China to step up the Lancang-Mekong cooperation.

The leaders' remarks were made at the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting, which was held via video link on Monday.

Initiated by China, the LMC consists of six countries, namely China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said thanks to the sincere and close partnership among the six countries, the LMC has achieved tangible results over the past four years and more.

Thanking the Chinese government for attaching great importance to this cooperation mechanism, which has played a positive role in promoting Lancang-Mekong cooperation, the prime minister said Laos agrees to China's proposal for the Lancang-Mekong sub-regional mechanism to strengthen cooperation with other sub-regional mechanisms.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Cambodian prime minister, said as major grain producers, the five Mekong countries urgently need to strengthen cooperation with China in food security and food trade.

Cambodia will continue to firmly push forward Lancang-Mekong cooperation with other parties, and looks forward to working with other members of the LMC to build a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong region, Hun Sen added.

Noting the six LMC member states are linked by mountains and rivers, share similar cultures and enjoy profound friendship, Myanmar President U Win Myint said Myanmar appreciates China's rapid and comprehensive control of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president said he hopes that the Mekong countries will work together to bring the pandemic under control at an early date and promote rapid economic and social recovery through solidarity and cooperation.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said although the meeting was held via video, it demonstrated the steadfast determination from all sides to expand cooperation.

Thailand also supports better cooperation among the countries of upstream, midstream and downstream Mekong River, so as to benefit the nations and peoples along the river, said the prime minister.

He added Thailand is willing to enhance cooperation with China in vaccine research and development, medical workers capability buildup as well as other fields.

Noting that he is glad to see China has reiterated its resolution and commitment toward the LMC mechanism, the prime minister said Thailand is willing to work with other parties to face challenges and turn challenges into opportunities to safeguard the sustainable development and prosperity of all countries.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the Lancang-Mekong countries have provided each other with assistance, solidarity and coordination in jointly responding to the pandemic.

The prime minister said Vietnam especially thanks the Chinese government for its important contribution to the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and its strong support to relevant countries.

He also expressed his belief that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation can make a significant contribution to people's well-being and the regional peace and prosperity.