The Lancang-Mekong international waterway has seen significant improvements in navigation conditions and capacity over the past decade, according to Kunming Customs on Tuesday.
Since the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism 10 years ago, the tonnage of vessels operating on the route has increased from 300 to 500 tons.
The waterway has seen more than 9,400 voyages, with a total import and export cargo volume of 1.57 million tons and a cargo value of nearly 12.72 billion yuan (about 1.85 billion U.S. dollars). Over 2,100 types of cross-border goods have been transported along this "golden waterway", which continues to inject new momentum into economic cooperation among the six Lancang-Mekong countries.
The Lancang-Mekong River winds its way through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Lancang-Mekong waterway sees major growth in trade
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Tuesday that more than 14 million Iranians, including himself, are ready to sacrifice their lives to defend the country.
In a statement posted on his social media, X, the Iranian president wrote, "More than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I, too, have been, am, and will remain devoted to giving my life for Iran."
Earlier, Pezeshkian issued an open letter to the American public, calling on them to look beyond the "machinery of misinformation" amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against his country.
Throughout its modern history, Iran "has never chosen the path of aggression, expansion, colonialism, or domination," despite having endured occupation, invasion, and sustained pressure from global powers, he noted. "The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries."
Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations via intermediaries, U.S. airstrikes inside Iran have continued, prompting Iranian officials to prepare for further attacks and casting doubt on whether talks will limit military action.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iranian president says ready to die for Iran with over 14 million Iranians
