Delegation of Mekong Countries Officials Visited Kunming

The delegation of Mekong Countries Officials, at the invitation of ASEAN-China Centre, continued their visit in Kunming from 24 to 26 June 2016.

In the afternoon of 24 June, the delegation visited Dianchi Water Treatment Co., Ltd. after arriving at Kunming. They listened to the introduction of the company, and visited the water treatment facilities.  They also made a site tour to Haidong Wetlands Park. They praised Yunnan Provincial Government for its endeavor to protect environment and recycle water resources.  

In the evening, Mr. Ma Jun, Director-General of Yunnan Provincial International Regional Cooperation Office, hosted a dinner for the delegation. He introduced the economic and social development of Yunnan as well as the exchange and cooperation conducted by Yunnan with ASEAN countries. He said that Yunnan, as China’s gateway to Southeast Asia and South Asia countries, had unique geographic advantages. Yunnan bordered Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam, and had direct access to Cambodia and Thailand via the Lancang-Mekong River. Yunnan had “shared river and shared future” with Mekong countries. He noted the construction of the “Belt and Road” brought golden opportunities to Yunnan, and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism provided Yunnan with a new platform to strengthen cooperation with Mekong countries. Yunnan would give full play to its own advantages to strengthen the exchange and cooperation with Mekong countries in the areas of trade, investment, culture, education, tourism, etc. so as to make new contributions to win-win cooperation for mutual benefit. 

On 25 June, the delegation attended the Opening Ceremony of the 4th Nobel Economists Summit of China held in Kunming. The Summit was co-hosted by Yunnan Provincial Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), New Huadu Business School and National School of Development of Peking University. The theme of the Summit was “Creative Development in Regional Economy—Regional Cooperation among China, South Asia and Southeast Asia”. Mr. Wang Jiarui, Vice Chairman of CPPCC, Mr. Chen Hao, Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, former Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR, Consuls-General of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh in Kunming, Mr. Edmund Phelps, 2006 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Mr. Eric Maskin, 2007 Nobel Laureate in Economics, scholars, government officials as well as entrepreneurs, totally over 300 people attended the opening ceremony. Vice Chairman Wang Jiarui and Governor Chen Hao delivered speeches in the opening ceremony. Lao former Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad gave a keynote speech entitled “Boosting Regional Prosperity and Civilization through the Belt and Road Initiative”.

The delegation also made a tour of Stone Forest, the world natural heritage and watched cultural performance of “Yunnan Impression”. The unique geographic feature and colourful culture of Yunnan left the delegation with unforgettable memories.

Kunming was the last stop of the visit. The delegates expressed their appreciation to ACC for the meticulous arrangement. They commented that they enjoyed a fruitful and successful visit with full schedules and a variety of activities. Through the visit, the government officials from Mekong countries not only gained more knowledge about China and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, but also got to know each other and foster  friendship. They expressed their willingness to provide continued support to ACC’s work, enhance the communication and cooperation so as to make joint efforts to promote the development of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation as well as ASEAN-China relations. The delegation left for their respective countries in the morning of 26 June.