Lancang-Mekong friends to gather in Kunming on May 30-31

The “One River, One Family” International Cultural Exchange Series in a New Era will open in central Yunnan's Kunming city on May 31.

A poster of the event.

The cultural exchange includes four major activities: the Opening Ceremony, the “Getting Better for Shared Future” Lancang-Mekong Media Chiefs Dialogue, the "Green Lancang-Mekong" Story Sharing Session, and the "Blooming Champa" Night Event. Other supporting activities will be held concurrently. 

The activities will last from May 30 to 31, coinciding with the second anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s "5.31" speech on strengthening China’s capacity in international communication, as well as the first anniversary of the establishment of Yunnan International Communication Center for South and Southeast Asia.

The cultural event marks the first physical people-to-people exchange involving the six Lancang-Mekong countries in almost three years. Around 200 dignitaries will attend the activities, including former political leaders from the Mekong countries and officials from related government departments, as well as experts, scholars and business leaders. They come from the fields of culture, tourism, media, digital technology, universities, think tanks, railways, and energy.

Focusing on topics of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the newly-proposed Global Civilization Initiative, the attendees will discuss new opportunities for the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, mapping out a new landscape for cultural and people-to-people exchanges in Lancang-Mekong river basin in the new era.

By Gateway reporters