During the third Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit in Vientiane, Laos from March 30-31, the six leaders and representatives from the Asian Development Bank endorsed a declaration on sub-regional development. The declaration touches upon connectivity and competitiveness issues such as the establishment of transport corridors, power interconnection systems and telecommunications networks; and the improvement of infrastructure links and measures to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and services.
In addition, leaders in the Mekong region have signed a joint statement which recognizes progress in GMS plan implementation, a future development which connects a network of basic infrastructure to upgrade the group's competitiveness, and the development of communication routes into concrete economic development areas to boost mutual trade, investment and tourism.
The statement also prescribes accelerated facilitation of cross-border economic activities and a strategic framework for trade and investment facilitation; and encourages local residents and young women and men to participate in the development as a way to upgrade their living standards and reduce poverty.
Such cooperation would benefit member countries because it would cause a synergy for efficient sub-regional development. All leaders celebrated achievements made under progressing Mekong regional cooperation, including the opening of Route R3 along the northern and southern economic corridor stretching from China, Laos and Thailand; the information technology and communication network connection; and signing a memorandum of understanding regarding GMS cross-border energy transfers.
Since it was initiated in 1992, GMS economic cooperation has greatly enhanced economic relations among the six Mekong countries (China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam); promoted economic and social development in the region; and achieved common prosperity. The GMS triennial summit has been scaling new heights at the average pace of every two years for 16 years so far. The only obstacle to GMS cooperative progress is the Asian financial crisis which erupted in 1997, and slowed down the pace of regional cooperation.
As an extension of the Sino-ASEAN ‘10+1'cooperative mechanism, GMS brings regional cooperation to a new level. It further consolidates and develops China's traditional relationships with the other five Mekong countries; and together they create a regional environment characterized by peace and stability, mutual trust, and win-win cooperation.
The completion of phase one of the GMS Information Superhighway Project, launched in 2005, will help the six countries sharing the Mekong River foster their connection with the rest of the world; showcase the achievements made in sub-regional economic and social development; and set an example for regional cooperation worldwide.
By People's Daily Online
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