On March 23, On the Occasion of the 7thanniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), the Myanmar government held a Grand Celebration Reception and an Exhibition on the Achievements of LMC Special Fund Projects in Nay Pyi Taw. 12 Myanmar Union Ministers attended the event, including U Tin Aung San, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Transport and Communications, U Thant Swe, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, andMinisterfor Religious Affairs and Culture and other ministries that implemented the LMC projects. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Chen Hai attended the event and delivered a speech to 200 participants, including envoys from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as well as representatives of the Myanmar relevant ministries.
Chen Hai stated that, over the past seven years since its launch, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation had empowered all member countries to we keep carring forward "LMC Spirit", increasing "LMC Energy", and improving "LMC Efficiency". LMC has set a golden model for regional cooperation. LMC keeps injecting momentum into the development of member countries and brings tangible benefits to the local people. The Lancang-Mekong region serves as the pilot area to practice the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. The LMC countries carried out fruitful cooperation on the basis of three vital topics, including political security, economy and sustainable development, and social, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. This is the first year for China to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, and China's development will provide Mekong countries with greater development opportunities. It is believed that LMC countries' joint efforts and cooperation will create a better future for this region.
U Than Swe said that the great Lancang-Mekong river embraces our six riparian countries and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation collects strength and power. Member countries made LMC a great success with mutual trust, close cooperation, and joint efforts in confronting challenges. Over 600 Special Fund projects have been able to carry out in six member countries, contributing to regional development.The Myanmar side expressed its sincere gratitude to China for the support of LMC Special Fund to Myanmar's 92 projects in 34 cooperation areas, which brought tangible benefits to the local people. The current global political and economic landscapehas been causing numerous challenges around the worldincluding peoples from Mekong-Lancang countries. As current co-chair of LMC, Myanmar will be with LMC members to work together with all member countries for the peace, prosperity and sustainable inclusive development of Mekong-Lancang Region.
The exhibition on the achievement of LMC Projects has presented the results of Lancang-Mekong projects conducted by Myanmar's 16 ministries. During the exhibition, the achievements of Myanmar's projects were so attractive to the guests and won their recognition and high appreciation. There were also traditional dances and songs of LMC countries at the reception.
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On the occasion of the 6th "LMC Week", China and Myanmar organized diverse and abundant celebrations. During this period, Ambassador Chen Hai published a signed article titled LMC Benefits Myanmar's People on Myanmar state-run newspaperThe Mirror. Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar Dr. Zheng Zhihong had a special interview with One News, a channel of Myanmar's largest private TV station Skynet. The Chinese embassy presented a video themed "Seek Mutual Benefits and Common Development Together with Lancang-Mekong Countries" and held several activities, such as LMC-themed work solicitation and knowledge contests.
At the same time, the Myanmar side published an article, namely Myanmar and LMC, on its state-run newspaper Myanmar Alinn. Besides, it released a celebration poster, produced a video about the achievements of LMC, and will publish a book, Roles and Responsibilities of Coordinated Organizations of LMC Countries.