(Phnom Penh): On 20 March 2026, Cambodia and China reaffirmed their strong commitment to advancing Mekong–Lancang Cooperation (MLC), aiming to deliver lasting benefits and sustainable prosperity for the peoples of the region.
The commitment was made during the celebration of “MLC Week 2026 and the 10th Anniversary of Mekong–Lancang Cooperation”, held at Rosewood Phnom Penh. The event was presided over by Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin.
In his remarks, Ambassador Wang Wenbin reflected on the establishment and development of MLC, describing the past decade as a “golden era” marked by rapid progress and fruitful outcomes. He noted that since the first MLC Leaders’ Meeting in 2016, cooperation among China and the five Mekong countries has deepened significantly under the strategic guidance of their leaders.
He highlighted Cambodia’s pivotal role as the first co-chair country, contributing to the successful launch of the mechanism. Over the past ten years, China has supported Cambodia through 106 projects funded by the MLC Special Fund. These initiatives span key sectors such as transportation, agriculture, cross-border trade, health, science and technology, youth development, poverty reduction, and tourism, benefiting hundreds of thousands of people across more than ten provinces.
Ambassador Wang emphasized China’s readiness to further strengthen collaboration with Mekong countries, guided by the principles of equality, mutual assistance, and inclusiveness, while promoting peace and prosperity in the region.
On the occasion, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stated that MLC has evolved into a dynamic and results-driven platform that promotes dialogue, development, and mutual trust. He underscored the effectiveness of the MLC Special Fund in transforming shared goals into tangible projects that support regional development.
“Over the past decade, the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation has evolved into a dynamic and results-oriented platform, fostering dialogue, development, and mutual trust among our countries. Our cooperation has yielded tangible progress across a wide range of priority areas, including sustainable water resource management, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges. In this regard, the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation Special Fund stands out as a particularly effective instrument, enabling member countries to translate shared aspirations into concrete and impactful projects,” he underscored.
On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed deep appreciation for China’s enduring friendship, generosity, and steadfast support. He noted that these contributions have played an important role in strengthening our resilience and advancing our development priorities.
Looking ahead, he reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in key areas, including sustainable water resource management, infrastructure connectivity, economic integration, green development, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
He also reaffirmed Cambodia’s unwavering commitment to working closely with China and all Mekong–Lancang member countries to effectively implement our existing initiatives and to explore new avenues of cooperation. “Together, we can elevate Mekong–Lancang Cooperation to even greater heights, delivering lasting benefits and sustainable prosperity for our peoples.”
=FRESH NEWS
