China is willing to take the opportunity of the 2025 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (MLC) Leaders' and Foreign Ministers' Meetings to further collaborate with the other five Mekong nations, strengthening all-round cooperation among the nations, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
An important comprehensive sub-regional cooperation framework, LMC was established in 2015 by six countries, namely China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The fifith MLC Leaders' Meeting will be held in Thailand, and the 10th MLC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in China this year.
"The fifth LMC Leaders' Meeting and the10th LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held later this year. China stands ready to work closely with the five Mekong countries to further improve and upgrade our cooperation across the board, and work for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation 2.0," said Mao.
"The six countries will continue to carry forward the spirit of 'development first, equal consultation, pragmatism and efficiency, and openness and inclusiveness', join hands to pursue modernization, actively forge a stronger Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt, build a closer community with a shared future among LMC countries and make LMC countries' contribution to regional peace and development with more stability," she said.
China ready to upgrade cooperation with other LMC nations: spokeswoman
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
