Viet Nam vows to join hands with Mekong countries to build peaceful and prosperous future

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made the above statement while delivering his remarks at the 10th MLC Foreign Ministers' Meeting that took place in Anning in China's Yunnan province, on August 15.

The event attracted the participation of Foreign Ministers from six member countries of the MLC, namely China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

Addressing the meeting, Bui called on the MLC to strengthen comprehensive connectivity in transportation, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Countries need to accelerate the construction and operation of key infrastructure projects to ensure a seamless regional logistics network, expedite the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Agreement, deploy smart customs and smart border checkpoints to simplify customs procedures, and encourage China to open its market to agricultural products from Mekong countries in order to promote balanced and harmonious trade, noted the official.

He emphasized the need to enhance dialogue, strengthen political trust, raise public awareness of the MLC mechanism, and encourage the participation of the youth in cooperation activities.

Bui urged the member countries to demonstrate a pioneering role in applying science, technology, and innovation to promote rapid and sustainable growth in the subregion.

The MLC Special Fund should provide scholarships and internship programs at leading universities and high-tech companies in China for students and young entrepreneurs from Mekong countries, suggested Bui.

Mekong countries need to establish high-tech laboratories and enhance the participation of the private sector in fostering innovation, underlined the Vietnamese official.

The member countries should remain steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainable development, with a focus on the fair and sustainable management of water resources.

Bui highlighted the importance of enhancing the application of science and technology in sharing meteorological and hydrological data, fostering stronger ties between the MLC Water Resources Cooperation Center and the Mekong River Commission and promoting the implementation of the MLC water resources cooperation initiative.

He also called for improving the capacity of officials from Mekong–Lancang countries through secondment programs at the MLC Water Resources Cooperation Center, supported by the MLC Special Fund./.