On 12 June 2017, the Opening Ceremony of 2017 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Events was held by the Government of Yunnan Province during the 2017 South & Southeast Asia Commodity Expo and Investment Fair (SSACEF). H.E. Mr. Chen Shun, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province, H.E. Mr. Chhuon DaraI, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, and Mr. Wang Guoping, Counsellor of Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, delivered speeches at the ceremony. Nearly 200 guests from China, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam attended the event. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the meeting and unveiled the “Yunnan Liaison Office of Lancang-Mekong cooperation”, “Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Center” and “Yunnan Lancang Mekong Research Institute” together with other guests.
Vice Governor Chen Shun stated that Yunnan province, as an important province to join and promote Lancang-Mekong cooperation，is earnestly implementing the consensus reached at the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and is working for progress on the early harvest programmes and projects initiated by Chinese side at the second Foreign Ministers’ meeting. The events are an important step taken by Yunnan province to promote Lancang-Mekong cooperation, which will help further enrich and expand Lancang-Mekong cooperation. Yunnan province is eager to make joint efforts with all parties to create a better future for Lancang-Mekong cooperation.
Counsellor Wang Guoping expressed that Lancang-Mekong cooperation is the first ever sub-regional platform along the Lancang-Mekong River for wide consultation, joint contribution and shared results, which has been widely received by the six countries. Cooperation between Yunnan and the Mekong countries has a long history and a good foundation. He believes that the series of activities will further promote the exchanges between Yunnan and countries along Mekong River and inject strong impetus to Lancang-Mekong cooperation.
H.E. Mr. Chhuon Dara, State-Secretary of Cambodia, commended China-Cambodia relations and the fruitful achievements made in economic cooperation and trade. He said Cambodia is committed to opening wider to the outside world. It is in a period of rapid development. It sincerely welcomes more investors to Cambodia. Connectivity is of great significance to promote the development of Lancang-Mekong region. It is hoped that the building of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism will further enhance the practical cooperation and economic and social development of the countries in the region and deliver greater benefits to the people.
The series of activities includes “2017 China South-Southeast Asian Art Week”, “Lancang-Mekong Culture Festival” and the cooperation forums of Lancang-Mekong countries in the areas of trade, investment, production capacity, logistics, culture, tourism, and think-tanks.