So what exactly is Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and why is it significant for the growth of Southeast Asia? 

The Lancang River originates in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in southwest China and flows through the heart of Southeast Asia. Once it streams through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, it is called the Mekong.

The Lancang is the world's 12th largest river, running almost 5,000 kilometers in length and covering an area of close to 800,000 square kilometers. Over 320 million people depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transport. 

The basin is also home to around 1,700 fish species, making it the most diverse basin after the Amazon and Congo. In November 2014, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang proposed the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation or the LMC framework to promote sustainable development along the route of the river. 

In March 2016, the 6-member forum held its first meeting. Since then, the LMC mechanism has been very productive. Most of the 45 projects identified during the conference have been completed or have made substantial progress. 

The LMC Special Fund set up by China has offered financial support to more than 130 projects. 

Two-thirds of China's concessional loans have been granted to the five Mekong countries for almost 20 infrastructure and industrial projects. Last year, China pledged 400 million U.S. dollars to support small- and medium-sized enterprise projects along the river.