චීන විදේශ කටයුතු ඇමති, ලාඕස් හා කාම්බෝජය සමග සාකච්ඡා

Chinese FM meets Cambodian, Lao counterparts respectively on ties, cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met respectively with his Cambodian and Lao counterparts on cooperation and ties in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Thursday.

In his meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China and Cambodia should stay committed to developing their friendship and following the path of solidarity and win-win cooperation.

The more complicated the external environment is, the more essential it is for the two countries to manage their own affairs well, said Wang.

Noting that China always places its relations with Cambodia at a special position in its neighborhood diplomacy, Wang said China is willing to take the implementation of the new action plan for building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future as an opportunity to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, consolidate security cooperation and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to push for high-quality development of their comprehensive strategic cooperation and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

The law enforcement and security authorities of China and Cambodia have jointly cracked down on cross-border crimes and achieved good results, Wang said, urging both sides to continue to step up efforts to thoroughly eradicate the breeding ground for gambling and fraudulent forces.

Chenda Sophea said Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni is currently visiting northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, expressing appreciation for China's thoughtful arrangements.

The Cambodian foreign minister congratulated China on successfully holding the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which drew up the blueprint for China's future development.

He said Cambodia is happy to see China achieve modernization and greater prosperity, noting that China has always been selfless in helping developing countries and has been committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability. Its development will benefit the whole region, including Cambodia, he said.

Wang said that the six Lancang-Mekong countries, sharing the same river and a common future, are eternal friendly neighbors and natural partners of cooperation. The rapid development of Lancang-Mekong cooperation has greatly improved the well-being of the people and promoted the development and revitalization of the six countries, he added.

All parties have agreed to abandon empty talks and take concrete steps to speed up building a community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with all parties, including Cambodia, to promote the overall development of the Indochina Peninsula through Lancang-Mekong cooperation, narrow the development gap within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), promote ASEAN integration, and play a leading role in the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

In his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Wang said China and Laos treat each other with sincerity and have always been supporting and helping each other.

Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future has accelerated, bilateral trade has been increasing, the China-Laos railway capacity has been constantly achieving new heights, personnel exchanges have significantly intensified, and the two sides have seen closer coordination in international and regional affairs, said Wang.

China firmly supports Laos in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, staunchly supports Laos to hold the 12th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to consolidate the party's leadership and the direction of socialism, and firmly supports Laos' ASEAN chairmanship to further enhance its international and regional influence, he said.

China is willing to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Laos across various fields, leverage the comprehensive benefits of the China-Laos railway, jointly resolve bottlenecks and accelerate integrated development along the route so as to serve the respective development and revitalization of the two countries, said Wang.

Saleumxay, for his part, said the rapid development of cooperation between Laos and China has played a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Laos. Laos is willing to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in areas such as connectivity and mineral resources, jointly fight transnational crime, and promote further achievements in the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future for the benefit of the people of both nations.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar.

Wang pointed out that Myanmar is an important ASEAN member state, noting that China supports ASEAN to enhance communication and contact with Myanmar, explore the alignment of ASEAN's five-point consensus and Myanmar's new five-point roadmap, and help Myanmar maintain domestic stability, achieve political reconciliation, and resume its process of democratic transition, which is beneficial for ASEAN's unity and the peace and stability of the region.

Saleumxay spoke highly of China's constructive role in promoting peace talks in northern Myanmar and its political reconciliation, adding that Laos is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to support Myanmar's stability and development.

The two ministers agreed to ensure the success of the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Chiang Mai, strengthen the awareness of a community with a shared future, enhance practical cooperation in all fields, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for the Lancang-Mekong countries in an effort to make greater contribution to regional prosperity and stability.

Wang Yi is in Chiang Mai to co-chair the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said everything is expected to go as planned because the cabinet is in full function with a view to ensure continuity of the functions of the government.

"Of course there are repercussions definitely that Thailand right now is in a situation whereby we don't have a prime minister. However, as per our constitution 167 and 168, the cabinet is in full function in order to, with a view to ensure continuity of the functions of the government," said the spokesman.

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office over his ethical violation for appointing a cabinet member with a prison record.

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