Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing is ready to support regional security and sustainability of nations dependent on the crucial Lancang-Mekong rivers. Wang Yi made the remarks at the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. CGTN’s Chaowarat Yongjiranon reports.
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi says Beijing is prepared to support further development in the Lacang-Mekong region.
This year, LMC members China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam have held talks under the theme, “Towards the Shared Future of a Safer and Sustainable Lancang-Mekong Region.”
Foreign Minister Wang emphasized that all members are one big family facing shared challenges. He says the LMC still hasn’t achieved its full potential in terms of building connectivity, managing resources, promoting biodiversity, maintaining food and energy security, and promoting technological innovation and tourism for people to people exchanges.
WANG YI Chinese Foreign Minister “We think the impact of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation is more prominent and has a significant impact on regional development. As the world is facing uncertainties, it’s in the interest of LMC members to work together and address shared challenges.”
In just 10 years, Chinese trade with Mekong countries has doubled as connectivity between China and the region has increased via rail routes, roads, and ports. Foreign Minister Wang emphasized the importance for LMC members to act like what he called bulldozers to narrow development gaps in ASEAN.
Addressing the growing concern of cross-border crime, such as online scams, China promises to assist LMC members by accelerating innovation and technology such as cloud innovation to manage data and thwart scammers.
EKSIRI PINTARUCHI Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs Ministry Of Thailand “Together we have reaffirmed that the safety and security of our people are foundational to sustainable development and that security can truly be achieved when prosperity is shared by all.”
Referring to his talks with Myanmar, Foreign Minister Wang noted the importance of ASEAN’s role as mediator for internal reconciliation within the country, adding that ASEAN would not be ASEAN without Myanmar.
All sides agree the LMC has contributed to the benefit of all people within the region.
CHAOWARAT YONGJIRANON Chiang Mai “Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says the success of the 9th LMC Foreign Ministers meeting proves that it is the perfect platform to promote multilateral cooperation and mutual trust. Looking ahead to the future, LMC members say they are confident the progress will be made together to address ever changing challenges and promote resilience. Chaowarat Yongjiranon, CGTN, Chiang Mai, Thailand.”
Source: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-18/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDgwMzQ0/index.html
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