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Chinese FM lauds Lancang-Mekong sub-regional cooperation

Xinhua, December 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday lauded the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), saying it is a new type of sub-regional cooperation mechanism.

The LMC, which is well-tailored to the development of six countries along the river, will serve the common interests of the countries and bring tangible benefits to their people, Wang told reporters after the 2nd LMC foreign ministers' meeting.

The project-based LMC has laid emphasis on efficiency and practical results, he said, adding that through implementation of projects, it will contribute to the sub-regional development.

The Chinese foreign minister said the LMC has paid more attention to comprehensiveness when compared with other sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Highlighting the three major fields the LMC covers, namely politics, economy and sustainable development, and society and culture, Wang said the mechanism will promote the alignment with the ASEAN Community and enhance the overall cooperation in the region.

"The LMC is complementary to other existing Mekong River mechnanisms," Wang pointed out, adding that it has no intention of replacing other mechanisms and they can work together to jointly promote sub-regional development and prosperity.

Wang noted that the LMC has been proved to be playing a positive role in promoting the development of other sub-regional cooperation.

"China is willing to continue participating in various cooperation mechanisms concerning the Mekong River in an appropriate manner," the Chinese minister said.

China also encourages other countries inside and outside the region to support and get involved in the LMC process, he added.

Wang and his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn co-chaired the meeting that also gathered foreign ministers from Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

The six countries along the Mekong (known as Lancang in the Chinese stretch) launched the LMC mechanism in 2015. Endit