Li Keqiang attended the Third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting and emphasized the promotion of the expansion and deepening of sub-regional cooperation to create new highlights in water resources cooperation

  On the morning of August 24, Premier Li Keqiang attended the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders Video Conference at the Great Hall of the People. Li Keqiang and Lao Prime Minister Thong Lun co-chaired the meeting. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Myanmar President Win Min, Thai Prime Minister Prayut, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended.

  Li Keqiang said that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation is born out of water. The six Lancang-Mekong countries drink one river together, and it can be said that they are as close as a family. Not long ago, President Xi Jinping suggested that the forces of various countries form more inclusive global governance, more effective multilateral mechanisms, and more active regional cooperation. China appreciates the active efforts made by the countries of the mechanism to promote regional cooperation.

  Li Keqiang pointed out that since the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong mechanism more than four years ago, cooperation has gone from a period of rapid expansion to a period of comprehensive development, injecting new "source of living water" into regional development and bringing tangible benefits to people of all countries. We have promoted institutional cooperation in water resources to enter the fast lane; deepened economic and trade cooperation to effectively promote economic growth; adhere to the people-oriented approach to enhance the well-being of people in the basin. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between China and the Mekong countries grew against the trend, indicating that there is great potential for cooperation between the two sides. In the face of the sudden new crown pneumonia epidemic, we are in the same boat, watching and helping each other, fighting the epidemic together, and working hard to restore the vitality of the regional economy.

  Li Keqiang put forward six proposals on strengthening Lancang-Mekong cooperation:

  -Push water resources cooperation to a new level. China is willing to provide more help for countries to make better use of water resources within its capacity. Starting from this year, China will share the Lancang River's hydrological information throughout the year with Mekong countries, and jointly build an information sharing platform for Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation to better respond to floods and droughts. Regularly hold water resources cooperation ministerial meetings and water resources cooperation forums, implement cooperation projects such as dam safety, flood warning, etc., and improve the comprehensive management of river basins and water resources management capabilities.

  ——Expand cooperation in trade and interconnection. Link the Lancang-Mekong cooperation with the "new international land-sea trade channel", further unblock trade channels, optimize resource allocation, maintain the stability of the industrial chain supply chain, and promote coordinated development. Jointly promote the signing of the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" within the year to achieve a better level of regional economic integration. Build the China-Laos and China-Thailand railways. Deepen financial cooperation. A network of regional "fast passages" and "green passages" will be built to facilitate personnel exchanges and goods circulation.

  -Deepen sustainable development cooperation. Accelerate the implementation of the three-year action plan for agricultural cooperation, and implement the "Harvest Lancang-Mekong" project cluster. China welcomes more high-quality agricultural, livestock and by-products from Mekong countries to be exported to China. Carry out cooperation in tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity.

  -Improve public health cooperation. China will set up special funds for public health under the framework of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, and provide materials and technical support within its capacity. After China's new crown vaccine has been developed and put into use, it will be given priority to Mekong countries. Carry out information notification and joint handling of major public health emergencies. Jointly support the World Health Organization to play a better role.

  -Strengthening cooperation in the field of people's livelihood. Joint implementation of disaster prevention and mitigation, rural sanitation and other projects, so that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation will benefit more grassroots people. Promote the comprehensive development of impoverished communities and strive to revitalize the tourism industry.

  ——Practice the concept of openness and tolerance. Strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among various mechanisms, and promote exchanges and cooperation between Lancang-Mekong cooperation and other sub-regional mechanisms. Actively explore third-party cooperation with Japan, South Korea, and the European Union. China supports ASEAN’s central position in East Asian cooperation, and is willing to help build the ASEAN community through Lancang-Mekong cooperation and deepen the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

  Li Keqiang pointed out that China's current epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development have achieved significant results. China's development will bring more cooperation opportunities to the Mekong countries and other countries in the world. China looks forward to working with the Mekong countries to promote the continuous deepening and expansion of Lancang-Mekong cooperation and inject more vitality into the development and prosperity of the subregion and this region.

  The leaders at the meeting spoke highly of the rich results achieved in the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and fully agreed with Li Keqiang's initiative to strengthen institutional cooperation. Leaders of various countries stated that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation has played an important role in promoting regional economic and social development, improving people's livelihood, consolidating peace and security, and enhancing mutual understanding and trust. All parties fully affirm the progress made in water resources cooperation, and are willing to deepen cooperation with China in the economic development belt of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, connect the "new international land-sea trade channel", and strengthen interconnection. All parties appreciate China's commitment to the successful development of the new crown vaccine as an international public product to increase the vaccine's accessibility in developing countries. They are willing to deepen cooperation in the field of public health with China, strengthen cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, and promote economic recovery and development. All parties are committed to promoting regional economic integration and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and safeguarding effective multilateralism.

  Li Keqiang and leaders of other countries also attended the handover ceremony for Myanmar to take over as the co-chair of the next Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.

  The meeting issued the "Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Third Leaders' Meeting Vientiane Declaration" and "Co-chairman's Statement on Linkage and Cooperation between Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and "New International Land-Sea Trade Channel".

  He Lifeng and others attended the meeting.