Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Laos meeting with his counterparts from five Southeast Asian nations along the Mekong River. They've been discussing sustainable development in the region. CGTN's Li Jiejun has more from Luang Prabang. 

"Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity", the theme of the fourth annual Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, or LMC meeting, brought together foreign ministers from the group's six member countries. Participants reviewed the progress of cooperation and discussed the future direction for sustainable development in the Mekong River Subregion.

Ministers rolled out a joint press communique and a progress report for the 2018 implementation of the LMC Five Year Plan of Action. A theme song named "Lancang and Mekong, A River of Friendship" was released, aiming to raise public awareness about the LMC. After the meeting, the foreign ministers of China and Laos spoke to reporters.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "The meeting was held at an important time as the LMC is entering a new phase of further growth from past phases, which were more about nurturing. The meeting aimed to implement what was reached during the second LMC leaders meeting, and make preparation for the third leaders' meeting. Ministers agree that the cooperation conducted among members has seen rapid and notable achievements over the past year."

SALEUMXAY KOMMASITH LAO FOREIGN MINISTER "On future direction, the ministers agreed to promote greater cooperation in new areas, new initiatives for mutual benefit and shared prosperity including a high-quality production capacity cooperation, an LMC Economic Development Belt."

The LMC framework was formally established in 2016. Its six member countries, China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, all border the Mekong River. The framework is seen as an important component of the Belt and Road Initiative and also an important sub-regional cooperation mechanism between China and ASEAN countries. It focuses on five priority areas including cross-border economic cooperation, water resource management, agriculture and poverty reduction.

LI JIEJUN LUANG PRABANG, LAOS "The Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism is aimed at building a community of shared future of peace and prosperity in the region. Member countries hope to use it as an example of a new form of international relations featuring win-win cooperation. LJJ, CGTN, Luang Prabang, Laos."