Participants welcomed the recommendation by the Global Centre for Mekong Study that the MLC countries jointly create the Mekong-Lancang Economic Development Belt. Wang said China had increased water outflow from the Lancang River (known as the Mekong in downstream countries) to help mitigate the drought. He assured his counterparts that China will also share year-round hydrological data relating to the Lancang River with the Mekong countries to ensure the sustainable use of water resources. In addition, China has provided 600 scholarships and more than 1,000 training opportunities to Mekong countries. Established in 2016, the MLC focuses on five priority areas – connectivity, cross border economic cooperation, production capacity, water resources and agriculture, and poverty reduction.

Source: The Star February 21, 2020 08:15 UTC