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On 6 September 2019, the opening ceremony of the Third International Conference on BRI Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) was held in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) was invited to attend the ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. Mr. Ren Yisheng, Consul General of China in Chiang Mai, Mr. Li Zhengyang, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Yunnan Provincial Committee, Mr. Paskorn Boonyalug, Vice Governor of Chiang Rai Province, and Mr. Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol, Director-General of Department of East Asian Affairs of Thai Foreign Ministry were present.
Vice Governor Mr. Paskorn Boonyalug said that Northern Thailand, especially Chiang Rai province, is strategically located to enjoy the opportunities that come with the Belt and Road Initiative and its location within the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Chiang Rai would take advantage of this unique opportunity by developing infrastructure, local businesses and resources particularly people, so as to maximize its economic potential and social growth.
Chinese Consul General Mr. Ren Yisheng said that Northern Thailand and China are geographically close and culturally similar, and enjoy close exchanges and cooperation. The two sides have continuously expanded cooperation in the fields of tourism, agriculture, energy and science and technology. All sectors in Northern Thailand attach great importance to and hope to take the BRI express train to enhance the strategic position of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the development of Thailand so as to become the “bridgehead” radiating Lancang-Mekong area. The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai would play its due part in promoting BRI and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.
Director-General Mr. Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol said that the 2nd BRF held in Beijing in April this year has leaped beyond the world’s expectations by successfully advancing cooperation of countries in the region to better address development challenges. All parties concerned were encouraged by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiative of BRI to promote high quality infrastructure, green, clean, inclusive and shared benefits development. Since Thailand is situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, it is natural and logical that China and Thailand join hands and work closely together to realize the BRI vision in the region.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai said that as an important practice in building a community with a shared future, the Belt and Road Initiative has become the largest platform for international cooperation and the most welcomed global public good initiated by China. With the shared goal of promoting regional development, ASEAN and China are committed to building an all-dimensional, cross-sector and systematic connectivity network. Steady progress made in LMC will make the path of cooperation even wider and make greater contributions to regional development. ACC will work with all parties concerned to make new contributions to the building of the Belt and Road and ASEAN-China friendship and cooperation.
Vice Chairman Mr. Li Zhengyang said that with its unique geographical advantages, Yunnan has been expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with Southeast Asia and achieved good results in the BRI cooperation. Yunnan will open up further and work with Mekong countries to make good progress in Lancang-Mekong cooperation.
The Conference was co-organized by the Consulate-General of China in Chiang Mai together with Mae Fah Luang University of Thailand. It brought together 400 participants, including officials from Chinese and Thai governments, diplomats, representatives from international organizations, scholars, researchers and entrepreneurs.
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