CCTV News: On August 13, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered questions from reporters about Wang Yi's 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and an informal meeting between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Q: Can the spokesperson introduce the background of the 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation? What are China’s expectations for this meeting as the organizer? What are the considerations for China to hold an informal meeting between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand?

A: Lancang River and Mekong Cooperation is a new regional cooperation mechanism for China to discuss, build and share with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the six countries, China and Mekong countries have successively announced the construction of a bilateral community of shared future, the Lancang-Mekong region has achieved full coverage of the construction of a bilateral and multilateral community of shared future, the interconnection of the "land, sea and sky network" has been continuously developed, cross-border trade, investment and production and supply chain cooperation continues to deepen, and cultural exchanges are "two-way" and are becoming more and more close to each other. The six countries have cultivated the Lancang-Mekong spirit of "development first, equal consultation, pragmatic and efficient, open and inclusive", and have worked together to build a Lancang-Mekong home where we share weal and woe and unite.

This year, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism will enter its 10th year. At present, Lancang-Mekong countries are in an important stage of accelerating their development. Faced with the international situation of chaos and the rise of unilateral hegemony and protectionism, Lancang-Mekong countries need to strengthen unity and cooperation and promote common development. China hopes to sort out the cooperation results with Mekong countries through this Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting, summarize successful experiences with Mekong countries, plan future development of the mechanism, and continue to build a more resilient Lancang-Mekong Basin economic development belt and a closer Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future, so as to provide more stability and new momentum for enhancing the well-being of the people in the basin and maintaining the sustainable development of the region.

As proposed by Thailand, the current co-chairman of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, an informal meeting between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand will also be held during the meeting to exchange in-depth views on regional situations and issues of common concern such as joint combating cross-border crime.