Transparency and info-sharing valued by multilateral cooperative scheme benefiting states along Lancang-Mekong river
Representatives from six countries located in the Lancang-Mekong river basin joined an online meeting for the first time after the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic on Thursday to facilitate dialogue on establishing an information sharing platform to boost transparency and cooperation in water resources management.
The officials attending the conference initiated by China initiated agreed that the coronavirus will not dampen their determination to participate in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) to boost regional sustainability.
The Chinese-built lower Stung Russei Chrum hydropower station, located in the jungles of Koh Kong province, southwestern Cambodia, for instance, has been kept smoothly running at full capacity during the COVID19 pandemic to provide reliable power for the socio-economic stability of Cambodia.
Proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in 2014 at the 17th China-ASEAN Summit, the LMC framework aims to bolster social and economic exchanges among the sub-regional countries – Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – narrowing the development gap between state members and advancing South-South cooperation altogether.
The project-oriented framework aims to serve as an example of innovative regional cooperation seeking a win-win across several areas including cross-border economies, water resources, agriculture and poverty reduction.
Hu Yuwei
