Q: Can you share with us the background and China’s expectation for the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting? What is China’s consideration for Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s participation in the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand?
A: The LMC is an innovative type of regional cooperation mechanism among China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam featuring collaboration, consultation and shared benefit. Since its launch in 2016, the mechanism has delivered fruitful results, contributing effectively to the economic and social development of the six Lancang-Mekong countries, and bringing tangible benefits to their peoples.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of the Mekong countries, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam have each announced jointly with China the building of a community with a shared future. All countries in the Mekong region are engaged in building a community with a shared future both bilaterally with China and multilaterally under the LMC mechanism. China hopes to work with the Mekong countries at the LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to review the progress of cooperation, take stock of past experience, and plan for next steps to advance LMC, so as to build the Lancang-Mekong region into an exemplar for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a pacesetter for implementing the Global Development Initiative, a pioneer for implementing the Global Security Initiative and a frontrunner for implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, and form an even closer community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries.
On the sidelines of the LMC meeting, at the invitation of Thailand, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand to exchange views on the regional situation, jointly combating cross-border crimes and other issues.