Lancang Mekong Youth Initiatives
Young entrepreneurs from Mekong countries call for strengthening ASEAN cooperation, Lancang-Mekong Art and Design Award in Beijing, “Generation Z” Lancang-Mekong Short Video Show
Lancang-Mekong Young Entrepreneurs
Young entrepreneurs from Mekong countries call for strengthening ASEAN cooperation, refute Western hype about China's overcapacity
By Hu Yuwei
At the Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Forum that concluded on Thursday in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, young business leaders from Lancang-Mekong countries emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN cooperation and expressed their optimism about the positive impact of China's new quality productive forces on neighboring countries. The forum, initially proposed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, aims to enhance practical cooperation among youth in the Lancang-Mekong region and support its economic development.
Representatives from the six Lancang-Mekong countries praised China's economic development and its role in driving the rapid recovery of the Southeast Asian economy. Many participants eagerly sought opportunities to collaborate with China, exchanging contact information and discussing potential business ventures.
The forum attracted more than 100 representatives of youth organizations and youth entrepreneurs from the six Lancang-Mekong countries.
Khun Zaw, an entrepreneur from Myanmar, told the Global Times of his belief that the Chinese economy's vitality can further stimulate the economies of neighboring ASEAN countries. He noted the rapid development of China, which has led to increased regional activities in the Lancang-Mekong area. "As young people from Lancang-Mekong countries, we are thrilled to witness this progress, and the Lancang-Mekong cooperation has boosted the confidence of our young entrepreneurs," he said.
The entrepreneur sees promising prospects for agricultural cooperation between China and Myanmar, and he is optimistic that once the political situation in Myanmar stabilizes, young people in the country will seize opportunities to strengthen cooperation with China.
As a businessman in the avocado industry, he aims to promote avocado industry cooperation between the two countries. "I recently met a potential Chinese business partner at a forum, and he expressed keen interest in our company's avocados. However, there are currently no efficient transportation channels for avocados between our countries. I hope that a solution can be swiftly implemented to help us tap into the Chinese avocado market through the Lancang-Mekong framework for mutually beneficial cooperation."
Zaw also commended the Yunnan Dehong Autonomous Prefecture for organizing a study tour for entrepreneurs to learn about agricultural planting in 2023, particularly in the coffee bean and avocado industries, among ASEAN countries.
Teerin Tanyawattanakul, the president of the Young Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce Thailand, shared his 10 years of experience in rice production with the Global Times. He mentioned that prior to joining the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, his sales channels were limited. However, after becoming part of the framework, he gained access to more channels and connections, leading to a significant increase in sales volume and partnerships, even reaching tens of thousands of partners and multiplying several times.
"Thais are increasingly drawn to China's new energy vehicles, which serve as a tangible representation of China's rapid development and transformation. They are eager to uncover the secrets behind China's impressive progress," Teerin said.
Since the beginning of this year, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has brought about significant economic benefits, further advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and strengthening economic and trade cooperation. China and ASEAN have solidified their positions as each other's largest trading partners, with total trade between the two reaching 1.6 trillion yuan in the first quarter, marking a 6.4 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 15 percent of China's foreign trade.
Cambodian entrepreneur Houy Buntit has witnessed the positive impact of the China-Laos Railway and the China-Thailand Railway on Laos and Thailand, expressing hope that China's railway network will extend to Cambodia in the future. He commended China's rapid and efficient economic development, contrasting it with the struggles faced by Western countries. Buntit emphasized the importance of leveraging China's innovative forces for comprehensive development, dismissing concerns about alleged overcapacity and highlighting the benefits of Chinese products for developing countries.
During the forum, Wang Yi, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, underscored the pivotal role of youth in fostering Lancang-Mekong cooperation and building a harmonious community for shared prosperity. She urged young entrepreneurs and youth organizations from Lancang-Mekong countries to enhance exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, drive innovation, and promote practical cooperation for common prosperity.
Wang Zhengying, Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province highlighted the region's commitment to expanding Lancang-Mekong cooperation and fostering cultural exchange. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Yunnan, emphasizing the region's strategic location and potential for growth.
Tanyawattanakul from Thailand emphasised the shared cultural heritage and abundant resources of Lancang-Mekong countries, urging young entrepreneurs to capitalise on regional advantages and seek new avenues for cooperation. The forum concluded with the "Kunming Declaration of Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Cooperation," outlining a framework for collaboration among young entrepreneurs from the region and emphasizing the importance of innovation, openness, and shared prosperity in building a closer community for Lancang-Mekong countries.
The forum was hosted by All-China Youth Federation, China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association, and organised by China International Youth Exchange Centre, Yunnan Youth Federation, and the government of Kunming.
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Art and Design Cooperation
2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award launched in Beijing
By Hongyu, Liang Jun (Peoples Daily)
The 2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award, an international event involving the six Lancang-Mekong countries—China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—was launched in Beijing on April 24.
The launch was attended by Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of the China International Communications Group (CICG), Zhao Chenggang, minister counsellor of the Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Zin Mar Htwe, minister counsellor of the embassy of Myanmar in China, as well as diplomats from countries along the Mekong River, and guests from the media, universities, civil society organizations, and businesses, both domestic and international.
Gao congratulated the launch of the event. He noted that CICG has strengthened comprehensive and multi-level exchanges and cooperation with countries along the Mekong River under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework in recent years, and achieved new progress and results.
These cooperative projects are expected to enhance cultural exchanges among countries along the Mekong River, and lead to fruitful outcomes and foster mutual learning and understanding among civilisations, said Gao.
Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of the China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the event)
In his video speech, Zhao said that China and countries along the Mekong River are connected by mountains and rivers, and natural partners for cooperation.
Over the past eight years since the LMC mechanism was initiated among Lancang-Mekong countries, and under the strategic guidance of their leaders, efforts in building a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future have continued to deepen and consolidate, Zhao pointed out.
The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award has become a calling card for cultural and youth exchanges, he said, noting that the competition will further enhance people-to-people exchanges among the six countries and improve mutual learning among civilizations.
Zhao Chenggang, minister counsellor of the Asian Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, delivers a video speech at the launch ceremony of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the event)
Over the past eight years, the LMC has made remarkable strides and delivered tangible benefits to the people of countries along the Mekong River, said Zin Mar Htwe.
Myanmar will continue to actively carry out cooperation with China, and uphold the principles and spirit of LMC. Together, they can promote mechanism building, deepen practical cooperation, and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, she added.
Zin Mar Htwe expressed hope that the competition can serve as an expanded platform for cultural and artistic exchanges, and foster mutual learning between China and countries along the Mekong River.
Zin Mar Htwe, minister counsellor of the embassy of Myanmar in China, delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the event)
Zin Mar Htwe, minister counsellor of the embassy of Myanmar in China, participates in a collaborative process of creating a piece of artwork at the launch ceremony of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jing)
Under the theme, "Green Power, Lancang-Mekong's New Day," designers in the competition will showcase the different aspects of Lancang-Mekong energy cooperation through their creative designs.
Since 2020, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art and Design Award has been held regularly, and has been functioning as a bridge of art that closely connects Lancang-Mekong countries.
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“Generation Z” Short Video Show
China(TNS) : The 5th Lancang-Mekong Audio-Visual Week Series “Generation Z” Lancang-Mekong Short Video Show and “Hi · China” Yunnan Tour Launched
On June 18, the “Generation Z” Lancang-Mekong Short Video Show and “Hi · China” Yunnan Tour of the 5th Lancang-Mekong Audio-visual Week series were held in Yunnan Minzu University. Propaganda Department of CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee, Radio and Television Bureau of Yunnan Province, Cultural and Educational Counsellor of Lao Ambassador to China, Yunnan University for Nationalities, Wuzhou Communication Co., Ltd., relevant leaders, offline creation camp campers participated in the launching ceremony, and relevant experts conducted short video creation training.
The event consists of a short video creation contest, an international youth offline creation camp, and an exhibition of outstanding award-winning works, which will last from June to October. The International Youth Offline Creation Camp invites 21 international professional photographers, we-media bloggers, international students in China and Yunnan ethnic minority youth to form a creation camp.
Focusing on the theme of intangible cultural heritage, taking “xiu” as the starting point, the short video creation is made from different aspects such as “xiu culture,” “embroidering life,” “sniffing delicious food,” “xiu self.” Campers will visit Kunming, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province In Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and other places, they experienced Yi Embroidery, World Dinosaur Valley, Fire Grass Quilt, Water and Bamboo Umbrella, Colourful Rice and other intangible cultural heritage projects, carried out short video shooting creation, showed the beauty of Chinese natural culture from the perspective of international youth, and met “There is a kind of life in Yunnan.”
Read more here.