Myanmar celebrates 8th anniversary of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation

YANGON - Myanmar hosted a reception to celebrate the eighth anniversary of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in its capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday evening.

Speaking at the event, Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe said that since the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, countries have respected each other and treated each other as equals, promoting the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to achieve fruitful results.

He also expressed gratitude to China for setting up a special fund for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to provide support to Mekong countries. The 106 projects carried out with the special fund have made positive contributions to Myanmar's economic and social development, he said.

He added that Myanmar has conscientiously performed its duties as co-chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and will continue to work with member states to deepen Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in the future.

Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said in his speech that since the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation was launched eight years ago, it has injected vitality into the development of member countries, built a strong shield for regional security and tightened the emotional bonds among peoples.

He added that the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has produced fruitful results in Myanmar and has truly benefited the local people.

Chinese modernization will bring new benefits to the development of Mekong countries and will also add greater momentum to Lancang-Mekong cooperation, the ambassador said.

China will further implement the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, work with Myanmar and other Mekong countries to build a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries and continue to enhance the well-being of people in the region, he added.

About 200 people including diplomats from China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to Myanmar and representatives of relevant Myanmar departments attended the event.

Traditional songs and dances from the six Lancang-Mekong countries were also performed during the reception.

Lancang-Mekong Cooperation is a new sub-regional cooperation mechanism launched by China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam on March 23, 2016.