Wang Yi to visit Myanmar, Thailand amid tensions in South China Sea chair the Ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit Myanmar and then Thailand from Wednesday to Saturday to chair the Ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. During his trip, he will also participate in an Informal Discussion with the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, as announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
The Ministry’s spokesperson elaborated on the LMC meeting’s expectations, noting that the LMC is a regional cooperation mechanism involving China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, built on collaboration, consultation, and mutual benefits. Since its inception in 2016, the LMC has significantly contributed to the economic and social development of these countries, providing tangible benefits to their people.
In recent years, guided by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the Mekong countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam have worked with China to build a community with a shared future, both bilaterally and multilaterally under the LMC framework.
China aims to collaborate with Mekong countries to review past cooperation, evaluate experiences, and plan future steps for advancing the LMC. The goal is to make the Lancang-Mekong region a model for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, a leader in the Global Development Initiative, a pioneer in the Global Security Initiative, and a frontrunner in the Global Civilization Initiative, thus strengthening the community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong nations.
On the sidelines of the LMC meeting, Wang Yi will attend an Informal Discussion with the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand to discuss regional issues, combat cross-border crimes, and other matters, as per the ministry.
Regarding his visit to Myanmar, the spokesperson stated that Wang aims to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen the friendship between the two countries, and advance the China-Myanmar community with a shared future. China adheres to non-interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs, supports Myanmar’s stability and economic growth, and offers constructive assistance for addressing differences through political consultation within the constitutional framework.
Wang’s Southeast Asia visit comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea. On August 8, despite China’s efforts to ease tensions, the Philippines sent a military aircraft into China’s airspace over Huangyan Dao (Huangyan Island) and later complained about China’s response. Chinese military experts criticized the Philippines’ actions as a move to bolster Manila’s victimhood narrative, and observers warned of potential US manipulation to destabilize the region.
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