Cambodia

The Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism not only builds a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Lancang-Mekong region countries and a bridge for mutual communication and exchanges, but also plays an important and active role in advancing the “Belt and Road” construction project.

    The first 16 projects of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund Cambodia were signed in December 2017 and received a total of 7.3 million US dollars. In addition to the 19 new projects signed this time, Cambodia has approved 35 Lancang-Mekong cooperation special fund projects.

    The signing ceremony of the new batch of Cambodian projects of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia. Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Brasokun signed on behalf of both parties. It is understood that the 19 Cambodian projects signed this time received a total of 7.66 million US dollars in funds, covering education, tourism, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and other fields.

    The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation is a new sub-regional cooperation mechanism jointly created by China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam along the Lancang-Mekong River. In 2016, China proposed the establishment of a special fund for Lancang-Mekong cooperation at the first leaders' meeting of Lancang-Mekong cooperation, providing 300 million U.S. dollars within 5 years to support small and medium-sized cooperation projects proposed by the six Lancang-Mekong countries. The first 16 projects of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund Cambodia were signed in December 2017 and received a total of 7.3 million US dollars. In addition to the 19 new projects signed this time, Cambodia has approved 35 Lancang-Mekong cooperation special fund projects.

    Wang Wentian said that since its establishment, the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism has gradually expanded its influence in sub-regional cooperation and has attracted wide attention from all parties. The Cambodian side’s positive attitude towards the Lancang-Mekong cooperation will help the smooth implementation of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation special fund project and will surely bring huge benefits to the Cambodian people in many fields such as education, health, and tourism. Brasokun expressed his gratitude to China for its support. He said: “The signing of new projects proves the momentum of the continuous development of Lancang-Mekong cooperation. These projects provide opportunities for cooperation and bring tangible results and improve people’s lives. ."

    Among the Lancang-Mekong cooperation special fund projects, Cambodia has the most approved projects for two consecutive years, reflecting Cambodia's enthusiasm for participation in Lancang-Mekong cooperation. Over the past year or so, the first batch of 16 projects of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund for Cambodia have been progressing steadily, progressing smoothly, promoting Cambodia's accelerated development, improving people's livelihood, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and common development among countries in the Lancang-Mekong region. Brasokun believes that although the Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism has not been formed for a long time, the positive impact of this mechanism on regional politics, economy and society has been proven. The main feature of Lancang-Mekong cooperation is project-driven. These early harvest projects have allowed all parties to better understand the needs of countries in the Lancang-Mekong region. "Enhancing the Lancang-Mekong regional air communication, promoting agricultural development, and solving the problems of land degradation, sustainable forest use and sustainable fishery management in the Mekong region will bring tangible benefits to the countries in the region." Brasokun said.

    Shemonil, director of the Project and Planning Department of the Cambodian Cabinet Office, told reporters that the Lancang-Mekong cooperation project has strong objectives and wide coverage, which reflects the pragmatic attitude of the Chinese government to actively put ideas into action, and has created many jobs for young Cambodians. opportunity. The Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism not only builds a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Lancang-Mekong region countries and a bridge for mutual communication and exchanges, but also plays an important and active role in advancing the “Belt and Road” construction project.