China eyes cooperation plan for Lancang-Mekong countries

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Vice President of Myanmar Sai Mauk Kham, and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh pose for photos in Sanya, south China's Hainan province, March 22, 2016. The first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' Meeting will be held on Wednesday in Sanya. [Photo/Xinhua]

SANYA, Hainan - China on Tuesday called on countries along the Lancang-Mekong River to make the upcoming leaders' meeting fruitful for future cooperation.

Premier Li Keqiang made the remarks while addressing a welcoming banquet prior to the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' Meeting to be held on Wednesday in Sanya, a coastal city in southern China's Hainan Province.

Li, and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha; Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen; Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong; Vice President of Myanmar Sai Mauk Kham; and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh will attend the "shared river, shared future" themed meeting.

Li said institutionalized cooperation among the six countries will help maintain regional peace and stability, give full play to each country's resources, industries and market, and provide more support to the region's social and economic development.

The LMC will also supplement relations between China and ASEAN, the premier added.