iLMC

a river of Friendship

LANCANG AND MEKONG

Source: Joint Observation and Evaluation of the Emergency Water Supplement from China to the Mekong River by Mekong River Commission and Ministry of Water Resources of China

A River Linking Six Countries

795,000

Its drainage area of about

326

is home to

million people

4,880

kilometers

164,400

The Lancang Basin covers an area of

square kilometers

accounting for

of the total Lancang-Mekong Basin area

The Lancang-Mekong River waterway stretches about

20.7%

square kilometers

64

accounting for

13.5%

of the Lancang-Mekong annual average volume of

billion cubic meters,

The average volume of the Lancang River is

The difference in elevation between the source on the Tibetan Plateau and the mouth of the river is

475

billion cubic meters

5,060

meters

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 

Myanmar

km²

Laos

km²

Thailand

km²

Cambodia

km²

Vietnam

km²

The river exits China from Yunnan Province and then flows through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Countries included

As % of total area of the basin

China

China covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. Its capital city is Beijing. The Lancang River is an important river in the Hengduan Mountains, making its way through provincial regions of Qinghai, Tibet and Yunnan before transcending Chinese national borders. It is the longest north-south river in China for hydropower development.

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

Myanmar

Myanmar is an ancient civilization with a long history. Its capital was relocated from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw in 2005. With its unique natural and cultural resources, the country attracts increasing numbers of tourists from all over the world. 

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

Laos

The capital of Laos is Vientiane. The only landlocked country on the Indochina Peninsula, Laos is home to 49 ethnic groups. Tourism is now an emerging industry in the country. 

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

Thailand

Thailand, also known as a land of smiles, houses thousands of Buddhist temples. Its capital city is Bangkok. Buddhism is practiced by over 90 percent of the population. 

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

Cambodia

The capital city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. More than 93 percent of the population living on this ancient land believe in Buddhism. The Mekong River, the longest waterway within its territory, runs through the country from north to south.

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

A Glimpse into LMC Countries

Vietnam

Vietnam occupies a long, narrow strip of land in Southeast Asia. Its capital city is Hanoi. The country boasts abundant tourism resources, and many scenic spots, such as Ha Long Bay, have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

“3+5” 

Cooperation Framework

economic and sustainable development

cultural and people-to-people exchanges

3 pillars of cooperation

5 key priority areas

political and security issues

cross-border economic cooperation

production capacity

water resources

connectivity

agriculture and poverty reduction

High-level Meetings 

Leaders’ Meeting

Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Senior Officials’ Meeting

Meeting of Diplomatic Joint Working Group

Milestone Events

2014

2016

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2018

2020

Milestone Events

November 12-14, 2014

LMC is proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the 17th China-ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Milestone Events

November 12, 2015

The First Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Jinghong, Yunnan, China. The Joint Press Communiqué of the First Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is released after the meeting.

Milestone Events

March 23, 2016

The First LMC Leaders’ Meeting is held in Sanya, Hainan, China. After the meeting, Sanya Declaration themed “For a Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity Among Lancang-Mekong Countries” is issued.

Milestone Events

December 22-23, 2016

The Second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, after which Joint Press Communiqué of the Second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is released.

Milestone Events

December 15, 2017

The Third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is held in Dali, Yunnan, China. The Joint Press Communiqué of the Third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting is released after the meeting.

Milestone Events

January 10, 2018

The Second Lancang-Mekong Leaders’ Meeting under the theme “Our River of Peace and Sustainable Development” takes place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After the meeting, the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2018-2022) is issued.

Milestone Events

December 16-17, 2018

The Fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the theme of “Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity” takes place in Luang Prabang, Laos. The Joint Press Communiqué of the 4th LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Progress Report of the Year 2018 on Implementing of the LMC Five-Year Plan of Action are published after the meeting.

Milestone Events

December 17, 2019

The First Ministerial Meeting of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation takes place in Beijing, China. During the meeting, LMC and MRC sign an MoU on greater cooperation between the two organizations.

Milestone Events

February 20, 2020

The Fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting is held in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting is co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, and attended by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Union Minister for International Cooperation of Myanmar Kyaw Tin, and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Racing the Virus

Health workers fight a deadly virus

When the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out, Chinese health workers were called to attention and started working overtime at their posts to save lives. It’s hard to tell much about the person behind goggles and a mask, but it’s clear who they are fighting for. The epidemic outbreak resulted in a call to the front lines of battle.

“Avoid going to Wuhan if you can!” advised SARS hero Zhong Nanshan, an 84-year-old academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, director of the National Respiratory Diseases Clinical Medicine Research Center and a prominent Chinese expert in respiratory diseases. Ignoring his own advice, Zhong jumped on an “upstream” train on January 18 to venture to the front lines in Wuhan. “The city has transformed into the battlefield against the epidemic,” he gasped. “As a doctor, I’m duty-bound to fight on the front lines.” At the critical moment, he was appointed leader of the senior experts’ group of the National Health Commission. In 2003, he won public support not only due to his performance in treating severe cases, but also for his courage to tell the truth.

Seventeen years later, Zhong returned to the spotlight to reassure the general public. He led his experts’ team to investigate the situation on the ground and devised plans for prevention and control. His tight schedule also included teleconsultation, news conferences, interviews and many other activities. Despite exhaustion, he remained confident in his straightforward judgment, which assured the public that victory would be seized soon.

Zhang Ningyu, president of Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan’s largest specialist infectious disease hospital, had some difficulties rushing to the front lines. In 2018, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “I don’t have much time left,” he revealed to colleagues. “I have to keep going.” On December 29, 2019, his hospital was isolated and began treating the first seven “SARS-like” patients. Since then, they have continued treating other critical confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

“Please hurry!” he frequently begs into his phone. “Wasting time could mean people die.” On the evening of January 29, he made eight phone calls in an hour. After getting in bed at 2 a.m., he rose at 4 a.m. to answer emergency phone calls.

While Zhang was fighting to save lives of hundreds, his wife, also a doctor, was also working in isolation with COVID-19 patients in another hospital a dozen of kilometers away. Thinking about her made his eyes tear up.

Zhao Zhigang is deputy chief physician of the Emergency Department of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. After a fever of 38 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days in mid-January, he was diagnosed with minor COVID-19 infection. He applied for quarantine treatment at home. When his fever receded, he volunteered to join his hospital’s online experts’ group to offer consultation services through the hospital’s official WeChat account. Zhao explained that most patients he consulted online were suffering minor or atypical symptoms. Around 10 percent of patients were residents of other provinces and regions. He offered them treatment advice and suggested ways of coping with emotional stress.

Since the illness emerged, Hubei Province and Wuhan have remained Ground Zero in battle. Health workers were among the first to respond. Despite great danger and intense stress and exhaustion, they never complained or backed down. In the isolation ward, they were protected by layers of protective gear including face masks and goggles that left deep impressions on their faces after hours of hard work. For many days, medical protective gear was in short supply. To save supplies and time, adult diapers became part of the gear. When they became exhausted, they slept for a few minutes on the floor in the gear. Despite worries about their families, they couldn’t make a call during work hours... Behind the white protective gear stood dedicated professional doctors and nurses. 

Korn Dabbaransi: 

Effective Epidemic Control

By Wu Xiaohan

  “China has taken rigorous measures to contain the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19),” commented Korn Dabbaransi, former deputy prime minister of Thailand and current president of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association. “Major cities have been quarantined, citizens accept government advice to stay home and avoid public places, and travelers would be kept under medical observation for 14 days upon arrival at a destination. All arrangements have been scientific and effective thanks to cooperation and support from the people, and they have effectively contained the disease.”

    Since the beginning of this outbreak, Dabbaransi has closely followed the developments. On behalf of his association, he has expressed sympathy and support for his Chinese brothers and sisters in the affected areas.  

    “In the face of this outbreak, some countries let prejudices emerge and blamed China, with which I disagree,”declared Dabbaransi, who also once served as the Thai minister of health. He considers casting blame unwarranted. The best thing anyone can do is find a way to help the Chinese people battle the epidemic.

    As president of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association and an old friend of China, Dabbaransi paired his words with deeds. On the morning of January 30, he led a delegation to the Chinese Embassy in Thailand where he donated 10,000 medical masks to Minister-Counsellor Yang Xin, charge d’affaires of the embassy, to support the health workers combating the epidemic in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

    Dabbaransi expressed profound sympathy for the Chinese people. “Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Chinese government has resolutely taken rigorous measures to contain the spread,” he said. “I have been deeply moved by the unity and strength of the Chinese government and people in coping with such a major disaster. We donated some materials in short supply alongside our strongest moral support.”

    Dabbaransi has a special emotional connection with China, a country he has visited more than 150 times since diplomatic relations were established between Thailand and China in 1975. In this battle against COVID-19, he witnessed the Chinese government and people racing the clock to build emergency and quarantine hospitals very quickly.

    “From the perspective of a former minister of health, I fully endorse and admire the measures taken by the Chinese government in this battle,” he noted. “I’m confident that China is able to contain the spread of this virus quickly.”

    Thailand has continued severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) research since 2003 and has achieved promising results in preventive medicine and reagents for routine clinical use which have proved effective in treating new patients. The 138 Thai nationals evacuated from Wuhan underwent a 14-day medical observation, after which 137 of them were discharged and only one kept under observation. 

    Minister-Counsellor Yang expressed appreciation for the benevolence of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association. “Dark times shine light on true friends,” he commented. “We will always hold the help and friendship from Thailand dear to our hearts. Thai people have encouraged and supported us throughout this time of difficulty.”

Chea Munyrith: 

China Has What It Takes to Defeat COVID-19

Since the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia broke out in China, Chea Munyrith has been paying close attention to the epidemic in various places, especially Wuhan and Cambodia. 

Chea Munyrith participated in the translation of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China into Cambodian language and serves as director of Planning and Project Department of the Cambodian Civil Society Alliance Forum.

“I am worried about the situation, but at the same time I have been awed by China’s response to the outbreak,” declared Munyrith. “China has definitely acted quickly and effectively in the battle against the coronavirus.”

Munyrith was especially impressed by China’s speed. On January 23, China launched an all-out fight against the COVID-19 outbreak with a decision to temporarily lock down Wuhan, a city with tens of millions of people, to contain the virus. Numerous Chinese braved the deadly epidemic to maintain their posts and do everything they can to help. The lockdown was the right decision because it has indeed been the best way to protect more people from infection.

“I do not know of any country that could have acted as organized and united as China,” he gasped. “In recent days, communities in Wuhan have launched comprehensive investigations to accelerate testing on suspected cases, and we heard the good news that the first virus strain has already been isolated. This will speed up work on developing a vaccine.” 

Experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that China’s medical treatment now is much improved compared to that during the SARS epidemic, and they are more confident in defeating the COVID-19 pneumonia this time.

“The speed and effectiveness of measures adopted in China gave confidence not only to the Chinese people but also to the world community,” commented Munyrith. 

From January 24 to February 2, China completed construction of a dedicated hospital in only 10 days. The hospital covers 34,000 square meters and offers more than 1,000 beds for patients infected with the coronavirus. “Only four days later, a second such hospital was completed. That is the speed of China!” 

On January 27, one patient in Cambodia was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, which made some Cambodians nervous. The Ministry of Health of Cambodia implemented quarantine of the patient and tracked down passengers who took the same flight. Thanks to such efforts, the epidemic was effectively contained in Cambodia. According to Chea Munyrith, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is also very concerned about the coronavirus, overseeing domestic prevention work while encouraging the Cambodian people to support and help China.

“China and Cambodia are one family,” Munyrith declared. “We care about the Chinese people as much as we care about our loved ones.” 

Munyrith is one of many Cambodian people who have fostered friendship with the Chinese over the past two decades. Since 2019, Chea Munyrith has brought more than 80 Cambodian children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) to Yunnan Province to receive free surgery. Previously, Chinese medical workers carried out meticulous works to find CHD cases in Cambodian children. 

Munyrith revealed that to express their gratitude to China and Chinese doctors, 86 Cambodian families with children who received heart surgery in Yunnan bought 5,021 medical masks to donate to Chinese doctors.

Standing with the Chinese

By Si Thu Tun

The recent coronavirus outbreak in China has drawn the attention of millions. Rapidly, this regional epidemic issue has risen to the top of the global public agenda, demanding attention from everyone in the world every day. Many friends of mine have expressed curiosity about my life in China during this difficult time.

When I first heard about the novel coronavirus disease at the end of 2019, it seemed far away from me. I had previously heard extensive news about H1N1 and H5N1. However, I had never witnessed anyone act terrified of them, and no one seemed to take the outbreaks that seriously back then. So, many people including me didn’t think that this coronavirus would spread that far.

By the time the Chinese New Year holiday arrived, stern warnings about the virus were everywhere, accompanied by passenger screening at airports and subway stations. I have been working in Beijing for three years so far. My team was supposed to go back to work on January 31. But so far, management has allowed staff to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus.

At first, it was a little scary to see masks everywhere and commuter volume drop dramatically. Nearby shops were out of meat for a few days, so I bought eggs, drinking water and rice in case I couldn’t buy them later. Although I was worried about the supply of food at nearby shops, I could still buy pretty much anything I wanted. So, I was fairly comfortable.Markets and restaurants are still open. Even in this situation, shopkeepers are maintaining their regular prices. I read that some stores that raised prices of masks were fined and shut down by the Beijing municipal government.

My residential community sealed off all entrances except a small gate where only one person can enter at a time. The elderly people in the community take turn at the gate helping people check in and measure body temperature using digital thermometers. Everyone in the community has been told about safety measures and health alerts. Strangers are no longer allowed to enter. In the past, food delivery people took meals to the door. But now we must pick up deliveries from the gate.

I walk to nearby shops or the shopping mall to buy water and food almost every evening. When I arrive anywhere, guards take my temperature with a digital thermometer. I feel really safe and sound because each community is working so diligently to prevent the spread.

A senior officer at my office created a WeChat group specially to check on our health and well-being daily. When other people at the company share the latest news and information about the virus, I feel like part of the family. I work as an editor of Myanmar language content, so I keep in contact with my colleagues every day through email as I translate news and video subtitles about the epidemic, which will help readers in Myanmar understand the real situation in China.

At the entrance of the subway stations, staff check body temperatures. Shopping malls are still open as normal. Many shops inside them are still open. We can still order food online. Except for far fewer and smaller crowds than before, everything is running normally.Famous Chinese celebrities and people around the world have recorded videos and songs to show support to the people of Wuhan. You can find them online. Although the city has been locked down for the safety of the local residents, I have a lot of sympathy for them and share their sorrow.Although I was not born in China, it feels like my home away from home. I pray that China will overcome this situation very soon.Recently, I read news about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a district center for disease control and prevention in Beijing, where he resolutely stressed commitment to winning the people’s war against pneumonia epidemic. I also know about Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Wuhan. I’m sure that these appearances will encourage the Chinese people greatly.

Stay strong Wuhan, stay strong China!

By Liu Xiangchen

Lao Students: Safe in Wuhan

“Don’t worry!” Xaiyakone Tammavong stressed to his parents in Laos. “We’re safe in Wuhan. The measures taken by the Chinese government have been very effective. I feel the situation improving with each passing day.” 

Every day, Tammavong shares a video call with his parents to tell them about life in China amid the country’s ongoing fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. After the outbreak, Tammavong and five other students from Laos, Chansouk Lee, Noy Kongpheng, Apo Vueyiaxiongnoy, Seng Arthit Phimvilay and Khonsavanh Vilaisak, chose to stay in Wuhan because they were confident in China’s capacity to contain the spread. 

“I was able to attend Wuhan University thanks to support from my family and from Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA),” declared Lee. “I want to repay them all by studying hard.” Lee’s words represented common sentiments of all the Lao students. Instead of returning home for winter vacation, they chose to stay at Wuhan University to improve their Chinese skills and enhance their overall performance in the coming semester. 

When the COVID-19 epidemic abruptly broke out, the situation looked depressing. However, heartwarming care from their teachers and classmates at Wuhan University as well as from friends from POWERCHINA cheered them up. 

POWERCHINA contacted staff of Wuhan University overseeing the students from Laos to check on their condition. The Nam Ou River Cascade Hydropower Plant called every Lao student to urge them to take necessary preventative measures to ensure their health and safety. A WeChat group was established to share information and tips on epidemic prevention and control. 

As the campus has been locked down, the Lao students have maintained a busy study agenda every day. In his spare time, Seng Arthit Phimvilay plays the guitar. “Chinese optimism and enthusiasm have greatly inspired me.”

“Wuhan is a city of heroes,” Apo Vueyiaxiongnoy wrote in his diary. “I enjoy the happy times with the city and its people. In this tough time, I want to stand together with them.”

“So many people are braving the storm like warriors in China,” declared Khonsavanh Vilaisak, who arrived at the university last year. “Their touching stories have kindled confidence in my heart. Over the past few days, I heard news that more and more patients are recovering and being discharged from hospitals. That’s good news.”

“Under the Belt and Road Initiative, POWERCHINA invested in the hydropower project that changed the look of our hometown, and then sent us to study in China,” Tammavong stressed. “China is suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak, and we cannot just stand idle.”

With the construction of the Nam Ou River cascade hydropower project funded in large part by POWERCHINA, a scholarship program benefiting people living along the river was also launched. The POWERCHINA scholarship provides financial support for 16 Lao students seeking undergraduate degrees at China’s Wuhan University. So far, 14 Lao students in three batches have enrolled at the university. 

With support from the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Lao government, the Laos-China Friendship Association and the municipal government of Vientiane recently jointly held a donation campaign to support China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. Many Lao employees of Chinese companies in Laos donated generously and made impressive efforts to help China.

How Vietnam Combats COVID-19?

During the Tet New Year celebrations at the end of January, Vietnam's government said it was "declaring war" on the coronavirus. Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc said during a meeting of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party that it would not be long before the coronavirus reached the country. "Fighting this epidemic means fighting the enemy," said Phuc.

However, this fight will depend on a lot of government funding and a stout public health system, which are two things that Vietnam lacks. Vietnam does not have the capacity to undertake a South Korea-style fight against coronavirus, which has so far involved carrying out 350,000 tests. The country's medical system is not well-equipped. Nguyen Thanh Phong, the mayor of Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis of 8 million people, said that the city's hospitals have a total of 900 intensive care beds. An epidemic in the city would easily overwhelm this capacity.

For example, on February 12, Vietnam put an entire town of 10,000 near Hanoi under quarantine for three weeks. By then, there were only 10 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the entire country. Authorities also widely and meticulously documented anyone who potentially came in contact with the virus.

And from very early on, anyone arriving in Vietnam from a high-risk area would be quarantined for 14 days. All schools and universities have also been closed since the beginning of February.

To ease the burden, Vietnam's government has made US$1.1 billion available to pump liquidity into the economy. However, finance officials expect that tax revenues will dry up because of the crisis. The government is also calling for voluntary donations — and people are giving what they can because they believe in their government during this crisis and in the fight against coronavirus.

Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the disease, Vietnamese leaders have sent messages to Chinese leaders and appreciated the great efforts of the Party, the State and the Chinese people in the fight against the epidemic, according to Chinese ambassador to Vietnam.

The government of Vietnam on January 31 decided to provide around US$500,000 worth of goods and medical supplies to the Chinese government and people to support their battle against COVID-19. Another US$100,000 worth of goods was provided by the Vietnam Red Cross Society.

Ambassador Xiong also noted that the leaders of Vietnam have displayed a “spirit of international cooperation” in recognizing China’s contributions to protecting the health and well-being of people in the region and the world. China is also thankful for Vietnam’s early aid to the Chinese campaign against the epidemic, the ambassador added.

lancang-mekong cooperation process

On March 26, the 3rd Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Week Activity on Water Resources was launched in Beijing. The event is aimed at further implementing the consensus of the Ministerial Meeting of Lancang Mekong Water Resources Cooperation held last December, publicizing the progress and outcomes, raising the public’s awareness of the Lancang Mekong Water Resources Cooperation and improving mutual trust in cooperation. Representatives of China’s Ministry of Water Resources and envoys of Mekong countries to China attended the event through video conferencing.

“Only by standing together and coming to each others’ help to address the risks and challenges can we build a beautiful homeland on Earth. Our six countries with Shared River and Shared Future can't agree on this any more. The water resources issues in the Langcang-Mekong Region should also be jointly addressed by our six countries.”

China

“We have learned that MLC countries are confronted with many water-related challenges, including frequent floods and droughts, water environment pollution and aquatic ecosystem degradation, and the uncertainty brought by climate change. Thus, joint action and integrated approaches are necessary to address these challenges to ensure water security and sustainable development of the six countries.”

Cambodia

“Laos expects that the water resources cooperation among the six member countries will move forward to wider and deeper level through policy dialogues, joint research, information sharing, capacity building as well as experts sharing for effective and efficient cooperation.”

Laos

“With consistent coordination among the LMC countries, we could step up any response to the need of water conservancy facilities. The fundamental means lies in our mutual trust, understanding and support. Myanmar is always ready to have continued commitment in active cooperation for our common dream of peaceful, prospered and developed Mekong region in a sustainable manner in line with the principles and spirit of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation.”

Myanmar

“We believe that balanced, constructive, transparent and high-quality cooperation will contribute to the building of shared future and improvement of livelihood of people along the Lancang-Mekong River. Thailand therefore appreciates China’s involvement and substantive support in order to achieve the said goals. Though there are still challenges awaiting us ahead, but with common endeavor and strong spirit, we shall strive further together as one.”

Thailand

“Countries along the Mekong-Lancang River Basin should have decisive and urgent actions to assure the sustainable development of the river against the backdrop of currently and increasingly severe drought. Member countries should attach great importance on the enhancement of the sharing of hydrological information in both dry and rainy seasons, the establishment of an early warning system and cooperation mechanism on emergency management of flood, drought and other disasters, the fulfillment of projects to minimize negative impacts on the livelihood of their peoples caused by climate change and economic activities along the Mekong-Lancang River. ”

Vietnam

Combating Drought

2016 Emergency Water Supplement from China to the Mekong River

El Nino 1 in 2015-2016 was recorded as the strongest. Countries in the Lancang-Mekong Basin have all suffered from drought since the end of 2015. The Mekong Delta has endured the most severe drought in a century.

In March 2016, China began increasing the water discharge from Yunnan’s Jinghong Reservoir to supply more water to the Mekong River.

Total volume released from cascade reservoirs: 

billion cubic meters

12.65

Discharge released at Jinghong: 

times greater than natural conditions

2 - 4

Increased water level along the Mekong mainstream:

meters

0.18-1.53

Maximum salinity in Mekong Delta decreased by

15 %-74 %

Why did the six countries launch the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism?

 The Lancang-Mekong area is one of the regions with the greatest development potential in Asia and beyond. Lancang and Mekong differ in name, but refer to the same river—an important waterway running through China and the Indo-China Peninsula. Originating from China’s Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the river has its source in Yushu of Qinghai Province. It is called Lancang River in China, while in its downstream after flowing out of Yunnan Province, it is called the Mekong River, running across Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, measuring 4,880 kilometers in length, covering an area of 795,000 square kilometers, and feeding altogether 326 million people. Linked by mountains and rivers, the six LMC countries feature cultural similarities, enjoy profound traditional good neighborliness and friendship and share closely inter-connected security and development interests.

What are the characteristics of LMC?

LMC is characterized by pragmatism and high efficiency, with focus on concrete projects. Since its launch in March 2016, the mechanism has achieved fast progress, demonstrating LMC speed and LMC efficiency. It has developed a Lancang-Mekong cooperation culture of equality, sincerity, mutual assistance, and affinity. LMC will be conducted within a framework featuring leaders' guidance, all-round cooperation and broad participation, and follow a government-guided, multi-participation and project-oriented model, aimed at building a community of shared future of peace and prosperity among Lancang-Mekong countries and establishing the LMC as an example of a new form of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.

Did the outbreak of COVID-19 affect the Fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

Despite the outbreak of the virus, the Fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Vientiane, Laos on February 20. Foreign ministers at the meeting expressed their firm support for China's battle against COVID-19 and their confidence in China's ability to triumph over the outbreak at an early date. The foreign ministers reviewed the implementations of the outcomes of the second LMC Leaders' Meeting and the fourth Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The ministers of Mekong countries expressed appreciation to China for its support for the social and economic development of their countries, and their satisfaction with the progress under current cooperation frameworks, in particular with cooperation in water resources and livelihood projects. They believed that deepening LMC can better prepare the countries for challenges. The foreign ministers of Mekong countries agreed with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's proposals on LMC for the next phase, and agreed to make good planning and preparations for the third Leaders' Meeting this year.

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