China and five other countries along the Lancang-Mekong River are continuing to develop joint environmental and economic efforts. And on Wednesday, a training program for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation National Secretariats and Coordination Units is underway in Beijing.

Two years ago, six countries along the Lancang-Mekong river basin agreed to work together on the sustainable development and practical cooperation. It's a joint effort between China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Jiang Zaidong, deputy director of Asian Department of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered the opening speech, giving his best wishes to the training program.

"All five Mekong countries are China’s close neighbors. We share the same river and the same future. China’s promotion for LMC is based on its willingness to enhance the development of neighboring countries with its own development and contribute to the sub-regional development," said Jiang.

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Mechanism is developing a cross-border economy. So far, it's produced some 20 major infrastructure and industrialization projects. And more than 100 smaller projects focusing on quality of life have been completed.

Vandy Bouthasavong, ambassador of Laos, expressed her joy and gratefulness over the progress made by LMC.

“Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has been established in a short period. However, it has been increasingly developed as tangible that could be fundamental to advance the cooperation and develop our social economy among MLC Member Countries, especially the contribution to the sustainable development and narrowing the development gap in Mekong River based on the principle of mutual interest. ” said ambassador Bouthasavong.

A 12-day training program that began in Beijing on Wednesday aims to give participants a better understanding of how the six countries can help each other in interconnectivity, agriculture, poverty alleviation and water resources.