Top 10 News Stories on China's participation in LMC and the Mekong Sub Regional
China and the five Mekong countries are close neighbors and natural cooperation partners connected by mountains and rivers.
In 2021, China worked with the Mekong countries to promote cooperation and development amid the fight against COVID-19 and made positive contributions to the economic recovery of all countries and regional revitalization as the world is going through major changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century.
On January 27, 2022, the China Secretariat for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) collaborated with China Report ASEAN of China International Communications Group and The Mekong River of Yunnan Daily Press Group released 2021’s Top 10 News Stories on China’s Participation in LMC and the Mekong Sub-Regional Cooperation to showcase the fruitful results of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation while highlighting the friendly relations among the six countries in the region.
Top 10 News Stories on China’s Participation in LMC and the Mekong Sub-Regional Cooperation in 2021
1. Head-of-state diplomacy sets the course for the next chapter of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries
In 2021, President Xi Jinping personally maintained close communication with leaders of the Mekong countries through virtual meetings, phone calls, letters, and other means, drawing up a blueprint for cooperation.
On January 21, 2021, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith at the latter’s invitation, during which they jointly announced the official launch of the Year of China-Laos Friendship.
Xi had phone conversations with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong on February 8 , 2021 and again on September 24, 2021 and also talked with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc by phone on May 24, 2021 to deepen the strategic mutual trust and consolidate the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam.
On June 28, 2021, Xi sent a congratulatory message to President of the Cambodian People’s Party Hun Sen on the 70th anniversary of the Party’s founding.
On December 3, 2021, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC and President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway in Beijing via video link with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith.
President Xi Jinping has set the direction for China’s cooperation with the Mekong countries by promoting awareness about building a community with a shared future to grow roots and nurture fruits to deliver tangible benefits to the peoples throughout the region.
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2. Continuous high-level exchanges cement political mutual trust among the six Lancang-Mekong countries
On September 9, 2021, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the Seventh Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit via video link.
In his speech, Li called China and the Mekong countries each other’s “closer-than-close” neighbors, like one big family. He stressed that the six countries need to strengthen political mutual trust, expand areas of cooperation, enhance the quality of cooperation, and jointly foster a more sustainable and inclusive sub-region.
The meeting produced the Declaration on the SeventhGMS Summit and endorsed documents such as the GMS Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) and the GMS COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan (2021-2023).
In 2021, Premier Li also maintained close communication with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha through video meetings, phone calls, congratulatory messages, and other interactions.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Sixth LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his counterparts from the Mekong countries in Chongqing on June 8, 2021.
At meeting, Minister Wang Yi emphasized in his speech that China would firmly follow President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefits, and inclusiveness when dealing with its neighbors, strive to build a Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity among Lancang-Mekong Countries and usher in another “Golden Five Years” of cooperation.
The meeting endorsed consensus-based documents such as the Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries, the Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments of Lancang-Mekong Countries, and theJoint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.
In 2021, Wang Yi visited Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia successively and held more than 20 multilateral and bilateral meetings with the leaders and foreign ministers of the Mekong countries.
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3. Lancang-Mekong pandemic fight brings great strides in health cooperation
In the fight against the pandemic in 2021, the six countries overcame difficulties through concerted efforts, demonstrating true brotherhood and neighborhood with concrete action.
In 2021, China donated batches of test kits, masks, protective suits and other medical supplies to the five Mekong countries, demonstrating true brotherhood and neighborhood with concrete action.
By the end of 2021, China had provided the five countries with a total of 190 million doses of vaccines through aid and commercial procurement.
During the Sixth LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in June 2021, the foreign ministers released the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, unanimously supporting traditional medicine of all countries to play a role in global pandemic prevention and control while promoting the development of public health in the sub-region.
A series of projects under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund were implemented in 2021 to improve the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases, tropical diseases, and insect-borne infectious diseases in the Mekong countries. (Photo: Xinhua)
The six countries actively implemented relevant projects on traditional medicine to contribute to prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases, tropical diseases, and insect-borne infectious diseases in the sub-region.
On December 17, 2021, the Post-pandemic Lancang-Mekong Traditional Medicine Cooperation Forum was held at Nanjing TCM University to explore the direction and path of cooperation in traditional medicine.
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4. China-Laos Railway opens, bolstering regional connectivity
Concerted efforts from China and the Mekong countries in 2021 led to significant progress in many high-standard, sustainable infrastructure connectivity projects that benefit local people directly and promote integrated regional development by removing transportation bottlenecks.
On December 3, 2021, the China-Laos Railway officially opened with well wishes from both heads of state via video link. The launch of regular operation of international cargo trains between China and Laos coupled with cross-border highway cargo services between Chongqing and Vientiane will further improve sub-regional connectivity.
The China-Laos Railway is a landmark project of promoting high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. With a total length of 1,035 kilometers, the railway stretches from Kunming in China’s Yunnan Province in the north to the Lao capital Vientiane in the south. (Photo: Xinhua)
To mark the upcoming opening of the China-Laos Railway, in November 2021, the first group of Lao students majoring in railway engineering at Shanghai Institute of Technology wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, expressing their determination to use the knowledge learned in China to promote the operation and development of the cross-border railway. (Photo: China Central Television)
China and Laos have made substantive progress in mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in power transmission with the signing of a franchise agreement between the Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T, a joint venture between China Southern Power Grid and Lao state-run Electricite du Laos) and the Lao government.
Seminars on railway industry and power connectivity jointly organized by the six Lancang-Mekong countries provide platforms for technological exchanges and project cooperation.
From October to December 2021, the Civil Aviation Flight University of China provided training programs for air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, and civil aircraft maintenance professionals from the Mekong countries under the LMC framework.
In Cambodia
The renovation and upgrading project on Cambodia’s No. 11 National Highway, contracted to Chinese companies, was completed and handed over to the Cambodian government. About 70 percent of construction of the Chinese-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has been completed.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen cuts the ribbon for the opening ceremony of the upgraded No. 11 National Highway on December 6, 2021. (Photo: China Central Television)
In Myanmar
An memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a feasibility study for a Mandalay-Kyaukpyu railway project has been signed between China and Myanmar. Railway carriages are already reaching Myanmar from China.
In Vietnam
Vietnam’s first urban light rail, built by a company ofChina, has opened for service.
Vietnam’s first urban light rail, built by Chinese enterprises, opened for service in Hanoi on November 6, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)
In Thailand
The first phase of the China-Thailand Railway and construction of a new terminal at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, contracted by Chinese companies, were both completed.
The new terminal of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, built by Chinese enterprises, was completed and testified to be qualified on July 8, 2021. (Photo: people.com.cn)
The erection of simply-supported precast segmental box girders of a mega bridge in the first 40-meter section of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail on May 29, 2021 marked major progress in the construction of the railway. (Photo: China Daily)
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5. Economic and trade cooperation achieves growth amid pandemic, with production capacity cooperation progressing steadily
China and the Mekong countries overcame various challenges brought by COVID-19 to deepen economic and trade cooperation in more areas and at higher levels to promote economic growth.
In 2021, China’s trade with the Mekong countries reached US$398 billion, up 23 percent year on year.
China and Cambodia completed ratification procedures on the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and updated the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Cooperation in Production Capacity and Investment.
On October 5, 2021, China and Cambodia completed ratification procedures on the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which came into effect on January 1, 2022. (Photo: China Central Television)
On May 7, 2021, Cambodian Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon attended a ceremony marking the first shipment of Cambodian fresh mangoes to China in Phnom Penh, expressing confidence in increased agricultural cooperation between the two countries. Fresh mangoes were Cambodia’s second fresh fruit to gain official access to Chinese market directly after banana. (Photo: China Youth Daily)
China and Laos signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the Joint Committee for China-Laos Economic Corridor Cooperation and the Agreement on Confirming and Jointly Promoting the Third Round of Key Projects in Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation. The China-Laos Railway will facilitate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor.
The Central Bank of Myanmar announced that it would allow usage of Chinese and Myanmar currencies for direct border trade settlement in the China-Myanmar border area. The Wanding Port on the China-Myanmar border has officially resumed customs clearance of imports and exports.
Expedited customs clearance has been launched for China-Vietnam freight trains to further improve the transport efficiency along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.
During the China-ASEAN Expo in September 2021, the Lancang-Mekong countries organized a series of activities including the Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Forum and the Digital E-commerce Cooperation Training Program to promote cooperation in industrial and supply chains, international logistics, the digital economy, and post-pandemic recovery.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
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6. Lancang-Mekong Cooperation among local governments gains momentum
Committed sincerity turns neighbors into family.Many Chinese provinces and cities are connected to the Mekong countries by rivers and mountains, which, alongside close cultural affinity, serves as a solid foundation for cooperation.
The Sixth LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting adopted the first Initiative on Deepening Cooperation among Local Governments of Lancang-Mekong Countries, charting the course for friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation among local governments in the six countries.
In December 2021, the first Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation was held in Beihai, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a congratulatory message, and representatives from local governments, friendly organizations, and media from relevant provinces and cities of the six Lancang-Mekong countries as well as diplomatic envoys from the five Mekong countries to China, attended the forum.
At the first Forum on Lancang-Mekong Local Government Cooperation held in Beihai, Guangxi, in December 2021, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao read a congratulatory letter from State Councilor Wang Yi, who said that China will cement cooperation with the Mekong countries to forge the LMC Economic Development Belt, build the Lancang-Mekong Community of Shared Future, and open a new era of peace and prosperity in the sub-region.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
The event issued a chairman’s statement pledging to promote institutionalization of the forum, attract participation from more local governments from the six countries, and create a new platform for local government cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong region.
The 2021 LMC China Sepaktakraw Open took place in Kunming, Yunnan Province, in late December 2021.（Photo by Yunnan Radio and TV）
Yunnan, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guizhou, Chongqing, and other Chinese provincial-level regions have carried out diverse cooperation with Mekong countries, exemplified by the LMC China Sepaktakraw Open, the Lanchang-Mekong Cooperation Week for Fruit Industry, Jiangsu Lancang-Mekong Day, and the Lancang-Mekong Youth Exchange and University-City Cooperation Forum. Chongqing Municipality has accelerated construction of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Rural Revitalization Research Center.
During the LMC Week for the Fruit Industry held in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, in mid-May 2021, import transactions between Chinese enterprises and the Mekong countries reached 313 million yuan (about US$49 million). On the first day, a total of 36,750 people watched the Consul Generals’ livestream products online, and the turnover reached 7.17 million yuan (about US$1.13 million).(Photo: people.com.cn)
A three-dimensional cooperation platform that covers the whole region, involves multiple participants, and features multi-level interaction is taking shape.
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7. Agricultural cooperation enjoys fruitful results as trade volume hits record high
As food is of paramount necessity for the people, agriculture lays the foundation of the national economy. China and the Mekong countries are actively engaged in practical cooperation in multiple fields such as agricultural trade and investment, science and technology exchange, and capacity building, which has injected impetus into regional agricultural and rural modernization and economic and social development.
In 2021, trade volume of agricultural products between China and the five Mekong countries reached US$28.2 billion, up nearly 18.6 percent year-on-year.
Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, gives thumbs up for the achievements in agricultural cooperation at a reception celebrating the 5th anniversary of LMC and the LMC Week 2021 on April 13, 2021.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
The first Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival, held in Beijing, was dedicated to promoting regional investment and trade in fruits and deepening cooperation in the agricultural industry.
The 2021 First Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival kicked off in Beijing on July 5. Diplomats from Mekong countries promoted quality fruits from their home countries and shared information on Lancang-Mekong agricultural cooperation with Internet users.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
China’s Ministry of Agriculture led implementation of 13 “LMC Bumper Harvest” projects, carried out agricultural technology exchange and cooperation in various fields including paddy rice, natural rubber, banana planting, and animal and plant disease prevention and control, provided training for more than 1,000 agricultural officials, technicians, and student farmers in the Mekong countries, established the Lancang-Mekong Rice-Fish Program Scholarship, and compiled and published the Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation Report.
In mid and late July 2021, more than 60 trainees from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam attended a virtual training program on green prevention and control of major crop pests and diseases.
The 2021 Lancang-Mekong Matchmaking Meeting for Agriculture, Capacity, Economy & Trade, and Technology took place both online and in-person on December 3. Relevant government departments, business associations, and enterprises from the six countries exchanged information on pandemic control and development opportunities of agriculture and trade in the context of RCEP while promoting high-quality products, potential projects, and technical achievements to accelerate agricultural production and economic recovery.（Photo by CACAC）
The Chinese Academy of Thermal Sciences promoted rubber tree dead skin rehabilitation technology in Laos, which will help the country save about 170 million yuan(US$26.8 million) every year.
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences planted three selected soybean varieties in a demonstration base in Myanmar, which has registered an average annual yield of more than 200 kilograms per mu (one mu is 667 square meters).
The agricultural departments of China and Cambodia have reached a memorandum of understanding on promoting cooperation in the banana industry.
On May 10, 2021, the agricultural departments of China and Vietnam held the fourth Joint Activity for Stock Enhancement, Releasing and Maintenance in the Beibu Gulf at the Beilun River Estuary in Dongxing, Guangxi, releasing about 56 million fishfry and post-larvae shrimp into waters of the Beibu Gulf.
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8. Remarkable results in water resources cooperation and environmental protection
Clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and sliver.
The Sixth LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in June 2021 adopted the Joint Statement on Enhancing Sustainable Development Cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong Countries, emphasizing the need for the six member countries to strengthen cooperation on water resources management and environmental protection and work together closely on promoting economic growth models that are environmentally friendly and innovation-driven in order to help the region to build back better, greener, and smarter in the post-COVID-19 era.
The 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum commenced via video link in early December 2021.(Photo: China Youth Daily)
Sharing water from the same river, the six countries regard water resources as their common wealth. On December 7, 2021, the 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum commenced via video. Water ministers of the six countries joined academics and representatives from international organizations to exchange views, share experiences, and discuss future cooperation on water resources management, climate change adaptation, water conservancy, and livelihood improvement in rural areas, among other issues.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources held the 2021 LMC Week Activities on Water Resources, themed “One River, One Family,” in Yunnan, inviting diplomatic envoys of the Mekong countries to China to visit water conservancy facilities on the Lancang River and exchange views on updating water resources cooperation.
The Beijing Recommendations of the 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum was unveiled at the closing ceremony. China vowed to ensure water resources supply for downstream countries, provide hydrological information on the Lancang River in a timely manner, and implement practical cooperation projects with Mekong countries such as the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action Plan and Demonstration of Integrated Management of Typical Small Basin in the Lancang-Mekong Countries, striving to work together with the Mekong countries to address the challenges of climate change and improve water resources management capacity.
To maintain ecological integrity in the region, the six countries accelerated implementation of the Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Strategy and the Green Lancang-Mekong Plan, strengthened cooperation and experience sharing on clean and renewable energy development, and worked together to promote green and low-carbon transformation.
Lancang-Mekong Roundtable Dialogue on Regional and Global Environmental Governance was held both online and in-person among the six LMC member countries during the 2021 LMC Week Activities on Water Resources.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
On July 23, 2021, a handover ceremony for a fleet of 28 electric vehicles to the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone low-carbon demonstration project, as part of the South-South Cooperation Project on climate change, took place in Changsha, Hunan Province.
Projects such as “Lancang-Mekong Knowledge Hub for Low-Carbon, Green, and Sustainable Infrastructure” and “Improving Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Livelihoods” have been launched, while construction of a low-carbon demonstration zone in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone low-carbon demonstration project in Laos, is progressing steadily.
In September 2021, China provided free training on how to operate automatic atmospheric environmental monitoring equipment in Cambodia.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences has signed an agreement with the relevant Cambodian authorities on the donation of instruments for the Sino-Cambodian Joint Environmental Laboratory. Green development, circular development, and low-carbon development will facilitate the emergence of the Lancang-Mekong Basin as a highland of ecological protection and a globally renowned tourist destination.
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9. Cooperation on livelihood projects benefits millions of families
In 2021, China and the Mekong countries strengthened cooperation in the field of people's livelihood, striving to ensure the fruits of cooperation benefit more people in the six countries and enable them to acquire a stronger sense of gain and happiness.
The China-funded Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, a new landmark for friendship between China and Cambodia. (Photo: Xinhua)
The China-funded Morodok Techo National Stadium was officially launched in Phnom Penh, becoming another landmark of friendship between China and Cambodia.
The second phase of the China-aided rural water supply project in Cambodia was completed and began operation, effectively addressing a shortage of drinking water and the challenge of ensuring clean water for local rural people.
The China-aided lighting system in Lao capital’s downtown area has been completed and become a popular destination for local citizens. (Photo: Xinhua)
The China-aided lighting system in the Lao capital’s downtown area was completed and became a popular destination for local citizens.
The Myanmar National Stadium Maintenance and Renovation Project aided by the Chinese government has been handed over to the Myanmar government, and the China-aided Industrial Training Centre (Mandalay) upgrading project has been launched.
On January 5, 2021, the handover ceremony for train carriages purchased from China, aided by interest-free loans to Myanmar, was held at Dilowa Port in Yangon. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar in January 2020, the two sides signed a project implementation agreement. Overcoming the impact of the epidemic, China completed the production, testing and delivery of carriages on schedule, effectively assisting the development of Myanmar’s railway industry and facilitating public travel.
A China-Vietnam webinar on poverty reduction experience took place on December 18, 2021, aiming to bolster sustainable development of the border areas.(Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
China and Vietnam held an online symposium on poverty alleviation experience to help the border provinces of the two countries achieve sustainable development.
China has been actively cooperating with Mekong countries on disaster management. On August 26, 2021, the LMC countries held a seminar on promoting multi-hazard early warning technology. (Photo: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
China actively cooperated with Mekong countries on disaster management, held a seminar on promoting multi-hazard early warning technology in Mekong countries, and established cooperation with Laos and Cambodia on disaster prevention, mitigation, relief and emergency relief, aiming to promote new progress in cooperation on disaster management and advance economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood in the regional countries. Under the charitable Lancang-Mekong Book House Project, book houses were established in Vietnam and Thailand and books were donated to local students to expand their global vision.
The International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship and Poverty Reduction Cooperation of Ethnic Minority Areas of LMC Countries was held both online and in-person on November 21, 2021, bringing together academics, government officials, and business leaders from the six LM countries, who shared experience and explored cooperation on social entrepreneurship and poverty reduction.
The charitable Lancang-Mekong Book House Project established book houses in Vietnam and Thailand and donated books to expand the global vision of local students.
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10. Impressive results in people-to-people and cultural exchanges
Friendly exchanges between China and the Mekong countries enjoy a long history.
Even the grave challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021 didn’t stop the six countries from continuing efforts for social and cultural exchange and cooperation. Instead, they have amazed the world with the speed and vitality of development in the subregion.
To mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi published a signed article in People’s Daily titled Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: After Five Fruitful Years, A New Journey Awaits—Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.He also joined diplomatic envoys from the five Mekong countries at the reception celebrating the 5th anniversary of LMC and the LMC Week 2021 in Beijing.
On March 23, 2021, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi published a signed article in People’s Daily titled Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: After Five Fruitful Years, A New Journey Awaits— Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, stressing that China will work with the Mekong countries for more progress in the LMC, strive for a safer, more stable, and more prosperous Lancang-Mekong region where our people live happier lives and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Photo: People’s Daily)
Foreign ministers of the Mekong countries published signed articles and congratulatory letters to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the LMC mechanism and its contribution to regional economic and social development. The Mekong countries pledged to continue to work closely with China to promote mechanism building and deepen practical cooperation to better benefit the people.
The central ministries and local governments of the six countries jointly held nearly 60 celebrations in various forms including conferences and forums, media stories, films and TV shows, rural revitalization campaigns, and youth innovation and entrepreneurship competitions.
The Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance Conference & Lancang-Mekong Mayor Forum on Culture and Tourism held in Chongqing on October 21, 2021, explored measures for cultural and tourism recovery in the Lancang-Mekong region after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries focused on the lengthy traditions and modern development of historic and cultural cities in the six countries while building consensus for a brighter future.
Themed “Nourished by the Same River, Nurturing Everlasting Lancang-Mekong Bond,” the 2021 Lancang-Mekong Adventure Large-scale Domestic and Foreign Media Interview Campaign invited journalists to Qinghai and Tibet to report on the achievements of ecological protection and poverty alleviation in the upper reaches of the Lancang River and promote cultural exchange among regional countries.
The 2021 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Design Award attracted outstanding designers from all six LM countries. (Photo: China Report ASEAN)
The 2021 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Design Award attracted participation from outstanding designers from the LM countries.
The 2021 Lancang-Mekong TV Week, jointly sponsored by China’s National Radio and Television Administration, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, kicked off on December 1，2021. (Photo: Xinhua)
The 2021 Lancang-Mekong TV Week held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, featured excellent TV shows from the six countries to promote the LMC culture of “equal treatment, sincerity and family-like atmosphere.”
The Buddhist Exchange Meeting in Lancang-Mekong Region, themed “Brighten the Mind Light and Pray for Peace” took place both online and in-person on May 18, 2021. The meeting aimed to explore ways of enhancing anti-pandemic cooperation in Buddhist circles and help Buddhist communities make greater contribution to people’s livelihoods and public welfare.
By Gateway reporters