LMC foreign ministers meet in Thailand, agree on cooperation

LMC foreign ministers meet in Thailand, agree on cooperation and strengthening of connectivity across fields.

The ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where participants agreed to strengthen connectivity and cooperation across various sectors.

The LMC includes China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the LMC’s efforts in building a community with a shared future, benefiting the people of the six nations, and contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

Wang, also a Political Bureau member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that China’s modernization efforts will bring new opportunities globally. He expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with LMC countries to create demonstration zones for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and pilot zones for global initiatives, fostering a shared future in the Lancang-Mekong region.

For the next stage of cooperation, Wang proposed a four-point agenda: maintaining peace and stability, promoting innovation, boosting interconnected development, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges to cultivate Lancang-Mekong culture.

During the meeting, participants praised the rapid growth of the LMC, calling it the most dynamic mechanism in the region. They acknowledged China’s role through the LMC Special Fund in supporting practical projects that have narrowed development gaps, facilitated ASEAN integration, and benefited the region’s people.

The parties committed to enhancing cooperation in fields like connectivity, investment, innovation, food security, energy, water resources, climate change, cultural exchanges, and combating cross-border crime.

They reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining Lancang-Mekong cooperation to promote subregional development, well-being, and regional peace. A joint press release and statements were issued on deepening cooperation in water resources, clean air, and cross-border crime prevention.

The meeting also reviewed progress made in 2023 on the LMC five-year action plan, the 2024 LMC Special Fund projects, and Lancang-Mekong agricultural cooperation. Further, a think tank report released focused on building a community with a shared future.

Before the meeting, the foreign ministers visited an exhibition showcasing LMC Special Fund-supported projects. Wang also held separate meetings with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.