On March 23, 2016, leaders from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam gathered in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, marking the official launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism.

Ten years on, guided by a culture of equal treatment, sincerity and a family-like atmosphere, and driven by a spirit of development-first, equal consultation, efficiency and openness, the six countries have translated a shared vision into tangible outcomes, building what is now widely regarded as a "golden platform" for regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

Institutional maturity underpins steady progress

Over the past decade, the LMC has evolved into a mature and structured cooperation framework. Its "3+5+X" architecture, featuring leaders' meetings for strategic guidance, foreign ministers' meetings for coordination, and joint working groups for implementation, has created an efficient governance system linking top-level design with concrete delivery.

Institutional support has also been strengthened, with all six countries establishing national secretariats or coordinating units, ensuring broad participation and sustained policy coordination.

This framework has not only improved coordination but also deepened political trust. As Lu Guangsheng, dean of the Institute of International Relations at Yunnan University, noted, the LMC represents a cooperative process in which responsibilities are shared, rules are jointly shaped, and benefits are distributed among all parties, gradually turning cooperation from an external arrangement into a shared internal commitment among the six countries.

Through growing bilateral and multilateral alignment, the foundation for a closer regional community with a shared future has been steadily consolidated.

Connectivity drives a historic leap

Infrastructure connectivity stands out as one of the most visible achievements of the past decade. Flagship projects such as the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway, and key regional expressways have significantly enhanced cross-border mobility and economic integration.

Four years since its launch, by December 2, 2025, the China–Laos Railway has handled over 62.5 million passenger trips and transported more than 72.5 million tonnes of goods, serving as a vital artery linking the region.

Energy connectivity has also made notable progress. The China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines have operated steadily, while in February 2026, the China–Laos 500-kV power interconnection project achieved full linkage, enabling two-way transmission of up to 1.5 million kW and delivering around 3 billion kWh of clean electricity annually. This marks a shift from one-way supply to mutual energy sharing, adding strong green momentum to regional development.

At a broader level, LMC cooperation has aligned more closely with regional frameworks such as ASEAN connectivity plans, the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), promoting deeper integration between the digital and real economies.

Trade cooperation expands in scale and quality

Economic ties under the LMC have grown rapidly in both scale and sophistication. China has remained the largest trading partner of Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for many consecutive years, and the second largest for Laos.

In 2025, trade between China and the five Mekong countries reached a record $500.9 billion, an increase of more than 150 percent compared to a decade ago，demonstrating strong and sustained growth momentum.

At the same time, cooperation is moving up the value chain, with steady progress in innovation corridors and increasing application of digital and green technologies.

The synergy between the LMC and RCEP has further facilitated trade, expanding zero-tariff coverage for agricultural products and improving the overall business environment for cross-border commerce.

People-centered cooperation delivers real benefits

Beyond macro-level achievements, the LMC has delivered tangible improvements to people's livelihoods across the region.

Supported by the LMC Special Fund, nearly 1,000 "small yet smart" projects have been implemented. Among them, the "Sweet Spring Action" has established 110 water supply projects, benefiting around 13,000 people in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Agricultural cooperation programs have helped tens of thousands of farmers increase incomes across sectors such as coffee, rubber, fruits and aquaculture, while the "Bright Project" has restored sight to large numbers of cataract patients.

People-to-people exchanges have also become more frequent, facilitated by policies such as the Lancang-Mekong visa, alongside cultural activities including art festivals, film weeks and exhibitions that continue to strengthen mutual understanding.

In parallel, cooperation in security has delivered concrete results. Joint patrols by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have helped maintain stability along the river, while coordinated law enforcement actions have intensified the fight against cross-border crime.

According to the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center, in 2025 alone, during the "Safe Lancang-Mekong 2025" joint operation launched in late February last year, law-enforcement agencies from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam cracked down on over 8,000 telecom fraud and online gambling cases, arrested more than 14,000 suspects, cracked over 122,000 drug-related cases, 1,017 human trafficking cases, and rescued more than 1,400 victims, effectively safeguarding regional security and public safety.