Honorable Chairman, dear colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to attend the 10th Dialogue Meeting. First of all, allow me to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government, our great appreciation to the MRC and its role of facilitating cooperation between MRC member countries and China. I would also like to thank the government of Lao PDR for the kind hospitality.
Mr. Chairman,
In today's world, economic globalization has made countries more dependent on each other. Against this backdrop, Mekong sub-region countries are endeavoring to deepen regional cooperation and broaden linkages among member countries. In recent years, Mekong sub-regional cooperation has witnessed steady development, thus bringing tangible results to the people of the Mekong sub-region.
The MRC is an important intergovernmental body created in 1995. In the past ten years, the MRC's involvement in navigation, flood management, fisheries, irrigation, hydropower, environment management, and human and institutional capacity building etc., has made great contribution to the development of the Mekong River Basin. In the future, we hope the MRC could play a more constructive role in promoting mutual understanding among GMS countries. We also believe that the MRC could contribute more towards the realization of MDGs in the Mekong River Basin.
The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to the Lancang-Mekong sub-regional cooperation and has paid much attention to its cooperation with the MRC. We have taken part in the dialogue meetings in the past nine years. The annual dialogue meetings have developed into a regular exchange mechanism between the four MRC countries and China and Myanmar. The dialogue has been a useful platform for us to exchange views to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
During the past ten years, China and the MRC has built up mutual confidence by gradually push forward our cooperative agenda. Our cooperation includes the exchange of hydrological information during the flood season, personnel exchange visit, etc. On 1-4 June, this year, a MRC team led by Dr. Olivier Cogles visited Beijing. This trip enabled the MRC and China to fully exchange views on current and future cooperation. Thus, we believe that there are more ways and opportunities for us to enhance mutual trust and understanding.
Recently, we have noticed some new changes for the MRC. The approved new orientation of the MRC to work towards Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), provides the MRC with an integrated approach for addressing development needs in the areas of navigation, flood management, fisheries, irrigation, hydropower, watershed management, environment management and human and institutional capacity. We welcome the MRC's new orientation of work, which puts more emphasis on capacity building and sustainable development of the region. It is a must for the MRC to move forward in its goals to eradicate poverty, and meet development needs of the basin. These changes can also help to generate new opportunities for cooperation between the MRC and its partners, including China.
Mr. Chairman,
In the new century, China has designed a people-oriented, comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable approach to development. This scientific concept of development reflects China's sincerity on sustainable development and consistent with our approach to regional cooperation. We aim at building a harmonious society and harmonious relationship among neighbours.
In the past few years, guided by the new strategy of development, China has made great progress on all fronts. Our experience is a testimony to the fact that implementation of the all-round development strategy is the way to a bright future. As a famous saying in China goes, "A close neighbor is more helpful than a distant relative." Nourished by the same river, our peoples is moving much closer towards our common future and fostering a much stronger and long-standing friendship.
Nowadays, China's development has become a significant part of Asian rejuvenation. Since 1996, China has contributed up to 44% of Asian economic growth. In the GMS region, the total trade volume between China and the other 5 GMS members, in the year of 2004, reached 25.82 billion US dollars. By breakdown, China's export in 2004 was 11.55 billion US dollars; and its import was 14.27 billion US dollars. In early July, the second GMS leaders' meeting was held in Kunming, Yunnan province of China. This meeting was very successful and fruitful. It took stock of the path GMS member countries had covered and drew a map for the future road of cooperation. Kunming Declaration was adopted as the main outcome and 6 cooperative documents were signed at the meeting. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to their vision and determined to carry forward the development agenda at the meeting. It was highly meaningful for a stronger partnership and common prosperity of GMS member countries. The meeting also yielded great results with considerable recommendations which will be highly relevant for our further cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
The Chinese Government will stick to its consistent policy of building friendship and partnership with its neighbours. We will follow a development path of mutual prosperity with our Mekong neighbours. We are confident that a prosperous Mekong region is not far away.
To conclude, I'd like to quote Premier Wen at the second GMS leaders' meeting, "May our friendship and cooperation run as long and deep as the Lancang-Mekong River."
Thank you.