Nay Pyi Taw December 25
The 4th Mekong – Lancing Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting was held this afternoon, participated by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing through video conferencing.
The Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China Mr Li Qiang jointly presided over the meeting.
Present were Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Srettha Thavisin, and Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Pham Minh Chính.
First, the joint chairmen of the meeting gave opening addresses respectively. Leaders of the member countries of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation reviewed the developments of the cooperation and exchanged views on future tasks.
In his discussions, Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said established in 2016, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has passed the basic level and reached the multiple development level during the seven years. Myanmar obtained 106 special fund projects with a value of USD-31.6 million, which helped support socio-economic under takings of the State, during the period from 2017 to 2023. The Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing thanked the PRC for its continuous flow of aid and assistance for Mekong- Lancang countries.
He said theme of today’s meeting “Join Hands on the Building of a Community of Shared Future and Modernization among Lancang-Mekong Countries” meets the current situation. Member countries should provide mutual assistance under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation for industrial development and economic modernization.
To reach this goal, members should carry out the tasks through the Belt and Road Initiative of China and Mekong-Lancang development path.
Work to realize the Mekong-Lancang innovation corridor and adoption of cooperation plans should be conducted with added momentum. In addition, Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar pointed out the need to prioritize human resources promotion programs for MSMEs and agro-based economic enterprises.
He said COVID-19 has shown a lesson to effectively render cooperation in public health undertakings. Member countries should share technology and expertise for progress of public health sector and infrastructure development through Mekong-Lancang Cooperation. He then thanked China for the assistance it has provided in building the National Infectious Disease Control and Training Centre in Nay Pyi Taw.
The centre will be completed in early 2024.
The processes of “Establishment of Mekong-Lancang Tourism Cities” and “Mekong-Lancang Air Travel Development and Partnership” are welcomed. As the crimes such as cross-border crimes, Illegal production and trade of drugs, human trafficking, violence, cybercrimes and online gambling hinder regional security and economic development, member countries need to increase law enforcement cooperation.
Importance of the role of regional cooperation and coordination carried out by the “Mekong-Lancang Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation Center” is also recognized.
Environmental damage has an impact on climate change and causes deterioration of the ecosystem. Therefore, I would like to stress that we must work together to respond to climate change in order to be able to build a peaceful and resilient community.
As the co-chair and responsible member Myanmar has always valued the policies of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and given a pledge to continue to actively participate in implementation of the policies in accordance with the policies and the sentiments.
At the meeting, the “Nay Pyi Taw Declaration” was approved and issued as a policy guide for future plans, and the “Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Action Plan (2023-2027)”, and “Joint Initiative on Development of Mekong-Lancang Innovation Corridor” were also approved and issued with the aim of boosting neighborliness, friendship and practical cooperation among the member countries.
At the meeting, the Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing handed over the alternate co-chair manship of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation to Thailand.
The 4th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation summit was also attended by Joint Secretary of State Administration Council Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Lwin Oo and officials.
The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation was formed in 2016 with the aim of bringing peace and prosperity to the region, reducing development gaps and supporting the efforts of the countries of the region to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
It comprises Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar successfully served as the alternate co-chairmanship of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation together with China, the permanent co-chair, from August, 2020, to December, 2023.
