PHNOM PENH, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said on Monday that the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism embodied the spirit of equal partnership, collective leadership, mutual benefit, and shared prosperity.
Sokhonn, who is also a deputy prime minister, made the remarks in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of LMC and LMC Week 2025.
"This week marks a significant milestone in our journey towards peace and shared prosperity within the sub-region," he said.
He added that since its establishment in 2016, the LMC has served as a vital platform for the six nations -- Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam -- to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchanges, and cooperation in the areas of politics and security, economic and sustainable development, and social, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.
"At its core, the LMC embodies the spirit of equal partnership, collective leadership, mutual benefit, and our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous future," Sokhonn said.
"Together these values have empowered us to address common challenges and seize opportunities for growth," he added.
He said that over the past nine years, the LMC had achieved numerous achievements including narrowing the development gap, enhancing connectivity through infrastructure development, and improving the livelihoods and well-being of the people in the sub-region.
Sokhonn said the LMC Special Fund is a crucial financial resource that supports current and future projects across key sectors, including rural development, water resources, agriculture, connectivity, education, tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and women's empowerment.
"These projects have improved the quality of life for our people in the sub-region," he said.
He expressed his sincere thanks to the government and people of China for the continued support and active engagement in advancing the LMC framework.
"Looking ahead, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the principles of mutual trust and respect, deepening our practical cooperation, and addressing emerging challenges through close collaborative approaches," he said.
"We must make concerted efforts to promote inclusive, sustainable development while steadfastly advancing the realization of a community with a shared future," he added. ■
