LMC question: How is the Yunnan tea sipped by 3 FMs?
Chinese Foreign Minister (FM) Wang Yi on August 14 invited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa to a tea gathering in Anning in southwest China's Yunnan province, during the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
The tea was aromatic, and as cups were raised in unison, the air remained harmonious. The communication regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict was conducted in a friendly and candid manner.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (central), Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn (left) and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa have a tea chat in central Yunnan's Anning city on August 14.
It tastes peaceful
Anning, the meeting's host city, implies "peace, harmony and amity" in Chinese.
In July, clashes erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Thanks to efforts from China and the international community, a ceasefire agreement was reached.
During the tea gathering, Wang Yi remarked, "It's better to resolve disputes than to prolong them." He expressed hope that Cambodia and Thailand would jointly voice a "message of peace" in Anning. China supports both nations in rebuilding trust through dialogue and restoring normal cooperation.
The Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers expressed gratitude, emphasizing the value of peace and neighborly ties. They reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire and pledged to utilize dialogue mechanisms to resolve disputes peacefully.
Only by cherishing peace, can we step into a shared future.
A riverside leisure area is seen in Anning, central Yunnan's Kunming city.
It tastes brotherly
China and Mekong countries are inseparable neighbors and brothers.
When meeting Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Wang Yi described China and Cambodia as "ironclad friends" and an all-weather community with a shared future. They need to support and assist each other.
When meeting Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Wang Yi highlighted the deepening "China-Thailand kinship" and the advancing practical cooperation.
The LMC, after a decade of cultivation, has flourished. The idea of "drinking from the same river and sharing a bright future" are well-accepted by folks in the region.
Over the past decade, China and the five Mekong countries have deepened strategic mutual trust, achieving the full coverage of bilateral communities with a shared future. Having established the overarching goal of building a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future, the six countries become good neighbors, close friends and trusted partners for each other.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (central), Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn (left) and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa shake hands after a tea chat in central Yunnan's Anning city on August 14.
It has a taste of growth
Peace is the foundation for development.
Over the past decade, the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt has taken off. Bilateral trade between China and the five Mekong countries has reached $437 billion, marking a 125% increase. Regional infrastructure has seen more connectivity in both physical and institutional terms, cooperation in industrial and supply chains has been deepened, and the LMC innovation corridor has emerged as a new highlight of regional development.
During the 10 years, Wang added, the peoples of Lancang-Mekong countries have grown closer. The "Lancang-Mekong Visa" initiative has facilitated exchanges, while 991 "small yet smart" projects supported by the LMC Special Fund have benefited the peoples of all six countries. We have stood together in combating natural disasters and COVID-19, advanced law enforcement and security cooperation, and jointly fought transnational crimes to safeguard public health and regional stability.
In the future, the six countries should chart a clearer blueprint, demonstrate firmer resolve, and take more concrete actions to build the "LMC 2.0" -- characterized by solidarity, open cooperation, green innovation, and enduring peace. Together, we will usher in a new golden decade for LMC and accelerate the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future dedicated to peace and prosperity, Wang noted.
"We will unite with unwavering commitment, replacing empty talk with bulldozer-like action to open a new chapter in the LMC cooperation. We will jointly built up our shared neighborhood of peace, security, prosperity, beauty and amity -- making new and greater contributions to building a community with a shared future in our region."
By YICC reporters; Photos by Chinese Foreign Ministry and Yunnan Daily