China urges Mekong neighbors to oppose external interference
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also called for expanded cooperation on AI, digital trade and cross-border disaster warnings at the Beijing meeting.
China urged its five immediate neighbors in the Lancang-Mekong group to oppose external interference on Wednesday, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the call while hosting the 11th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing, the Chinese state-run Xinhua News agency reported.
Wang also urged members to reject the creation of exclusive small circles and never allow the resurgence of militarism.
Wang urged the member countries to build on their "fruitful cooperation" over the past decade and jointly usher in a new "golden decade."
He said the group should stay at the forefront of regional cooperation and serve as a benchmark for Global South solidarity.
The Chinese foreign minister said the group should strengthen top-level design on regional development and security, promote trade and investment liberalization, and deliver more small livelihood projects, Anadolu Agency reported.
Wang also highlighted cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing and smart agriculture.
He urged more Mekong countries to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, which China launched this year with its headquarters in Shanghai.
Wang proposed a cross-border disaster early-warning mechanism and joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes, he said.
Foreign ministers from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Myanmar's planning minister and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who co-hosted the meeting, attended the talks.
The Lancang-Mekong mechanism was established in 2016 and includes China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
It takes its name from the river known as the Lancang in China and the Mekong in other countries.