I. Development Goals
This Plan of Action is based on the significant outcomes achieved since the official launch of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (hereafter referred to as the LMC) in March, 2016, the successful implementation of the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2018-2022), and the important outcome documents, including the declarations adopted at previous Leaders' Meetings, joint press communiqués and joint statements issued at Foreign Ministers' Meetings. This Plan of Action aims to deepen the good neighborliness, friendship and practical cooperation among the six LMC member countries, drive the economic and social development, enhance the people's well-being, develop a more robust and resilient Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt, jointly build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable Lancang-Mekong region, and make new strides towards a closer Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity among Lancang-Mekong countries.
The Plan of Action would complement international and regional initiatives and cooperations, including China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its successor document, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor document, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plans (2021-2025), the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and other Mekong sub-regional cooperation strategies and visions, where those initiatives and cooperations contribute to peace, prosperity and development in the Lancang-Mekong region. It will also be intended to implement the important consensus reached at China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations including the Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, deepen sub-regional development cooperation, join hands to cope with common challenges, strive to facilitate economic recovery of all countries and the prosperity and revitalisation in the Lancang-Mekong region, contribute to the ASEAN Community building, and regional integration processes, narrow the development gap, and advance the full implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a view to establishing the LMC as an example of a model of sub-regional cooperation, featuring win-win cooperation.
II. Fundamental Principles
This Plan of Action will take into account the development needs and priorities of the six member countries and the regional economic integration, improve the cooperation framework highlighting "the leaders' guidance, all-round cooperation and broad participation", uphold the cooperation philosophy of "development priority, equal negotiation, pragmatism and high efficiency, openness and inclusiveness". Considering local contexts, the Plan of Action will reflect the adherence to a people-centered and action-oriented approach, mutual benefits and inclusiveness, innovation-driven development, and harmonious co-existence between mankind and nature. While continuing to deepen the current cooperation, it will keep exploring new areas of cooperation and advance the high quality development of the LMC in a steady manner.
The implementation of this Plan of Action will be based on the principles of consensus, equality, mutual respect, consultation and coordination, voluntarism, common contribution and shared benefits. It will uphold multilateralism, the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by the United Nations Charter and international laws as well as in accordance with the domestic laws, rules, regulations and procedures of each member country.
III. Working Structure
Optimize the multi-layer institutional framework comprising Leaders' Meeting, Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM), Sectoral Ministerial Meeting, Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and Diplomatic and Sectoral Joint Working Group Meeting.
Strengthen and deepen cooperation concerning the three pillars (political and security issues, economic and sustainable development, and social, cultural and people-to-people exchanges), and five priority areas (connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture and poverty reduction). Actively expand new areas of practical cooperation that can well respond to the growing demand for development of Lancang-Mekong countries. Enhance inter-sectoral communication and coordination to promote common progress and maximize effects of our multi-dimensional cooperation.
Encourage the gradual upgrade of the Joint Working Groups on the priority areas to Senior Officials’ or Ministerial level, and study the establishment of new Joint Working Groups and Cooperation Centers, when necessary.
Improve the coordination mechanism of LMC National Secretariats or Coordinating Units among the six member countries with strengthened communication as well as reinforce the capacity of their staff to better advance practical cooperation in all areas. Actively and carefully study the possibility of setting up the LMC International Secretariat upon consensus.
Build a consensus to expedite the design of LMC logos and other symbols to facilitate mass outreach and other public awareness activities. Promote the role of the multilingual website of LMC China Secretariat, encourage member countries to actively consider the setup of websites, and social media accounts with a view to raising awareness about the LMC among the public. Continue to hold the annual LMC Week activities in commemoration of the first LMC Leaders’ Meeting held in China on 2016-03-23.
Submit the implementation progress report on this Plan of Action to the Foreign Ministers' Meeting through the Senior Officials' Meeting annually. A list of projects proposed by the six member countries for the next year will be submitted to the FMM for adoption.
IV. Practical Cooperation
4.1 Political and Security Issues
4.1.1 High-level Exchanges and Political Dialogues and Cooperation
Maintain regular high-level exchanges and policy communication, and continuously deepen mutual political trust.
Convene the LMC Leaders' Meeting once every two years to map out strategic planning for future LMC development and hold ad hoc Leaders' Meeting as necessary on the basis of consensus.
Hold Foreign Ministers' Meeting once a year to implement consensus reached at the Leaders' Meeting, review cooperation progress and provide suggestions for cooperation.
Hold Senior Officials' Meeting and Joint Working Group Meeting in diplomatic and other sectors each year as needed.
Support policy dialogues, including economic diplomacy dialogue and official exchanges and visits among Lancang-Mekong countries.
In line with the spirit of LMC, encourage exchanges of experiences and best practices in governance among member countries. Strengthen dialogues and exchanges among the national legislative bodies and political parties of Lancang-Mekong countries.
4.1.2 Cooperation on Law Enforcement and Justice
In response to the demand of regional economic recovery for a safe development environment, aiming at "building a safe and secure home together", explore cooperation opportunities in the field of law enforcement and justice, to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Fully employ mutually agreed platforms and establish a sound coordination and contact mechanism for response to emergencies.
On the basis of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, encourage dialogue and experience sharing to enhance the capacity of law enforcement in the Mekong River Basin.
Strengthen think tank exchanges on law enforcement cooperation, hold Lancang-Mekong Border and Immigration Management Police/Force Chiefs' Forum, Lancang-Mekong Police Sports Games, as needed.
Deepen the civil and commercial judicial cooperation in the region.
4.1.3Non-traditional Security Cooperation
4.1.3.1 Public Health Cooperation
Advance cooperation on prevention and control of infectious diseases, support experience sharing in the fight against COVID-19, strengthen cooperation in such fields as counter-epidemic supplies provision, testing capacity improvement, drug and vaccine research and development, and vaccine filling production. Intensify efforts in the vaccine supply, actively promote cooperation in technology transfer and production capacity.
Actively implement the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation on Traditional Medicine Within the Framework of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, promote exchanges and mutual learning in the traditional knowledge protection, traditional medical education, and clinical practice and scientific research, push ahead modernization of traditional medicine, and jointly elevate the role of traditional medicine, to play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases. Promote the investigation of medicinal ingredients by each member country and compile a commonly used herbal pharmacopoeia for the six member countries. Encourage natural and artificial cultivation of medicinal plant, promote mutual learning and interconnection of medicinal plants standards, research and develop public health products, and build industrial bases for traditional medicine, based on just and equal benefits and on mutually agreed terms.
Facilitate cooperation on pharmaceutical supply chain, quality and safety control among relevant authorities in Lancang-Mekong countries on drug supply chain security to maintain drug quality and safety.
Strengthen cooperation in the fields of communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control, health emergency response, primary healthcare, management of chronic diseases and mental health. Leverage the function of the LMC Special Fund for Public Health in the implementation of support public health cooperation projects of the six member countries.
Actively develop and carry out free medical diagnosis and treatment activities, including Brightness Action projects.
Strengthen health cooperation in border areas. Deepen cooperation on information sharing, measures alignment and emergency response in border epidemic prevention and control, enforce simultaneous measures in particular for the people, objects and environments to fend off infections and tighten the prevention of cross-border epidemic transmission. Boost port health information sharing and health talent exchanges, and further improve the early-warning system and response capacity for major infectious diseases in port areas.
Enhance cooperation between practice and medical research institutions to promote technical exchanges and medical talent training. Integrate the strength of medical personnel and health system as well as hardware infrastructure in each member country to transform and upgrade selected medical institutions, and build a network of Lancang-Mekong Friendship Hospitals. Encourage dispatch of medical expert teams, carry out sub-regional cooperation on the prevention and control of acute, infectious and emerging diseases.
Cooperate in prevention and control of zoonotic diseases and promote capacity building among LMC member countries including through seeking cooperation from other partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly known as OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Cooperate in prevention and control of insect-borne infectious diseases including Aédes borne diseases and promote capacity building including the community-based raising awareness and practices against the infectious diseases, especially technology transfer for disease surveillance and early warning, in the context of climate change.
Cooperate in research and development of key technologies for drinking water purification and sanitation facilities, and construct demonstration projects for safe drinking water and rural sanitation facilities.
4.1.3.2 Combating Transnational Crimes
Enhance information exchanges, share best practices and experiences in technical aspects, coordinate responses in addressing the risks and challenges posed by transboundary crimes, including drug trafficking, terrorism, illegal crossing of national borders, illegal smuggling, transnational organized crimes, smuggling of firearms and ammunition, illegal trafficking of hazardous and other wastes, including e-waste, cybercrimes, cross-border gambling, telecom frauds, online scams, and human trafficking, and strengthen respective national capabilities to suppress commercial frauds and smuggling of endangered wild species of flora and fauna and their products.
4.1.3.3 Cooperation in Disaster Management
Explore the establishment of Lancang-Mekong Regional Disaster Management Cooperation Mechanism, explore the possibility to hold ministerial meetings on disaster management to provide strategic guidance for regional disaster management cooperation, organize disaster management cooperation forums and joint working group meetings on a regular basis to promote technical exchanges and the implementation of concrete and pragmatic people-centered cooperation projects, based on the needs of member countries.
Intensify dialogues and exchanges in disaster management strategic plans, policies, regulations and standards.
Promote the initiatives to enhance regional cooperation on the financial support system for effective preparedness for, response to and recovery from natural disaster. Strengthen cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation through promoting experience sharing in disaster monitoring and early warning to improve capacity for identifying major disaster risks of the sub-region.
Facilitate cooperation in disaster preparedness through joint research on key technologies and building disaster resilience.
Conduct cooperation in disaster recovery and reconstruction through enhanced experience sharing to build effective connection between recovery and development.
4.2 Economy and Sustainable Development
4.2.1 Connectivity
Give full play to the role of the Joint Working Group on Connectivity Cooperation of the LMC, expedite the development of the Plan on Connectivity Cooperation Among Lancang-Mekong Countries which synergizes with the MPAC 2025 and its successor document, the BRI and other sub-regional strategies, advance, high-quality physical connectivity development cooperation in the region while ensuring sustainability, compatibility, transparency, accessibility, inclusiveness and safety, as well as deepen people to people ties.
Further bolster the high quality road and railway connectivity, share digital innovation and connectivity, optimize and upgrade the layout of inland waterway, road transportation, aviation and port facilities, dry port or distribution and logistics centers of main cities along the routes and corridors, remove obstacles and bottlenecks resulting from missing linkages, and build a convenient connectivity channel between major cities within the region, so as to effectively reduce logistical costs and time across the region.
Jointly carry out the revision of the Technical Regulations on Surveys of Commercial Ships on the Lancang-Mekong River to improve vessel safety, environmental-friendliness and economy, enhance waterway transportation safety and sustainability of the Lancang-Mekong River, and facilitate the regional shipping integration process.
Encourage regulatory capacity building, technical cooperation and exchanges, scientific and technical innovation, and joint training initiatives cooperation in civil aviation areas. Support the development of the Lancang-Mekong Airline Cooperation Alliance to enhance air connectivity between the six countries with the aim to boost trade, tourism and regional economic recovery. Continue to promote the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance to strengthen the sustainable recovery and development of the tourism industry.
Encourage digital infrastructure connectivity including cross-border terrestrial and submarine cables, laying the foundation for a secure, credible, transparent, efficient and interconnected telecommunication network based on mutually agreed rules and regulations and in accordance with applicable domestic laws.
Enhance cooperation in standardization through sharing of development experience and capacity building with regard to multi-dimensional connectivity.
4.2.2 Production Capacity Cooperation
Give full play to the role of the Joint Working Group on Production Capacity Cooperation of the LMC, formulate the Three-Year Action Plan for Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Among Lancang-Mekong Countries, and optimize the distribution of production capacity in the region.
Focus on priority areas of the production capacity cooperation namely power, agro-processing industry and agri-food, construction materials, metallurgy, light industry and textiles, automotive and parts, machinery, chemicals and agriculture, continuously promote production capacity through direct investment, project contracting, joint technology research and development and trade in relevant supplies.
Foster a stable regional industrial supply chain, build platforms to stimulate supply chain linkages with the intent to strengthen the resilience sustainability, and inclusivity of supply chain, deepen practical cooperation and cross-border business partnerships, promote research and development (R&D), standard formulation and revision in line with international industrial standards, carry out testing and certification of industries, including mineral resources, raw materials, automotive, consumer goods, bio-based, agro-industries and explore the possibility of the cooperation of electronic chips and equipment.
Further enhance cooperation in the field of production capacity building. Actively hold Lancang-Mekong production capacity and investment promotion activities, including investment roadshow and business forum, continue to carry out the Multi-Nation Multi-Park cooperation, and encourage more enterprises and financial institutions in Lancang-Mekong countries to participate in production capacity cooperation.
4.2.3 Trade and Investment Facilitation
Accelerate the adoption and effective implementation of the Five-year Development Plan on Cross-border Economic Cooperation of Lancang-Mekong Countries as soon as possible. Make efforts to accelerate the negotiation and effectively upgrade the 3.0 version of ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). Encourage effective implementation and utilisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) to further enhance the level of regional trade and investment liberalization, facilitation, and promotion, lower non-tariff barriers, promote awareness and use of FTAs among MSMEs, and enhance interoperability of rules and regulation, so as to enhance business-conducive ecosystem and improve the regional economic integration level.
Deepen cooperation on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to take advantage of the regional linkage effect and jointly build the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt (MLEDB). Enhance services related to investment and trade facilitation contributing to the Promotion of Cross-Border Economic Cooperation through streamlined procedures and substantive technical and policy exchanges among Lancang-Mekong Countries for the collaborative facilitation of cross-border investment and trade. Develop economic corridors in line with the member countries' needs to improve the regional economic integration level. Explore the joint development of more cross-border special economic zones among interested member countries. Exchange information and policies related to investment and trade facilitation services among Lancang-Mekong countries through holding frequent consultative workshops and seminars.
Explore the construction of a new model for intelligent Lancang-Mekong customs governance, gradually achieve customs connectivity among the member countries through the cooperation of Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity and the implementation of the Smart Customs cooperation partnership. Thrust for the establishment of the cooperation mechanism for customs inspection and quarantine among the six member countries.
Continue to optimize customs clearance procedures, improve the quality and capacity of customs service. Expedite the cooperation on the interconnection of the Single Window to advance the exchange of custom data, prioritize customs communication, especially due notice of policy changes and amendments to relevant rules and regulations.
Promote the cooperation on increasing the efficiency of cross-border freight flow.
Enhance capacity building for joint monitoring of animal and plant epidemics in border and port areas. Promote the import of quality and safe agricultural and pasture products into China from Mekong countries.
Advance cooperation on the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). Push ahead cooperation on electronic verification of SPS certificates. Carry out cooperation on the monitoring, prevention and control of cross-border transmission of animal or plant epidemics or diseases at ports.
Strengthen standardization exchanges and cooperation, information exchanges in conformity assessment areas, and policy and regulation transparency for market access, explore conformity assessment procedures and mutual recognition of assessment results, boost training in conformity assessment areas, and improve trade facilitation between countries.
Strengthen metrology cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries, enhance measurement capacity building, propel mutual recognition of measurement in priority areas including medical health, environmental protection, renewable energy and food safety.
Carry out exchanges and cooperation in the anti-monopoly field and strengthen cooperation on the law enforcement technical assistance of relevant organizations in the member countries.
Strengthen cooperation among chambers of commerce of the member countries, and encourage the Lancang-Mekong Business Council to hold annual trade and investment promotion activities such as investment roadshow, exhibitions, forums, business-matching sessions and conferences, so as to promote regional economic recovery.
4.2.4 Energy Cooperation
Enhance energy policy exchanges, collaborate on energy security cooperation, promote diversification of energy sources, improve energy utilization efficiency, conduct environmental and social impact assessment of energy infrastructure projects, including transboundary impacts, research the pathway for energy transition, continuously increase the installed proportion of renewable energy, develop energy storage technology, which contributes to the transition towards energy-saving, low-carbon and sustainable development.
Promote practical cooperation in energy, joint research and development of advanced technology and management experience, expand cooperation in capacity building and training, encourage technology cooperation, including technology transfer, and explore the possibility of mobilizing financial resources for effective energy transition.
Facilitate the steady transition to green economic growth, including the fields of energy storage, electric vehicles and parts, investment in green development, among others.
Enhance renewable energy integration and transition into grid and grid modernization. Support the development of grid infrastructure and encourage information sharing among the member countries on the basis of availability.
Strengthen the communication in power planning among the member countries, facilitate regional power grid construction, renovation and reconstruction in a cohesive manner, and push forward electricity connectivity and power trade toward the establishment of a unified regional power market.
Encourage cooperation in photovoltaic production capacity technology and human resource, and jointly promote the development of photovoltaic industry and the utilization of green energy.
4.2.5 Agriculture
Synergize agricultural strategy, policy communication and experience sharing, fully harness the central role of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture Cooperation of the LMC and the Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation Center, to promote the development of green, sustainable and innovative agriculture in the region.
Implement the LMC Bumper Harvest projects, focusing on such areas as the promotion of value chain, digital green agriculture, and jointly implement specific cooperation projects in an effective manner.
Strengthen cooperation in agricultural science and technology, support scientific research institutions in conducting joint research, information sharing and personnel exchange, jointly construct technology demonstration bases and joint research centers.
Compile case studies and research reports on agricultural industries and agricultural cooperation of the Lancang-Mekong countries, to translate project outputs into intellectual outcomes, and consolidate and expand cooperation effects.
Organize agricultural trade and investment promotion activities, to present high quality agro-products and connect enterprises from the six member countries. Explore ways to jointly establish agricultural industrial parks, and engage civil society in the development and operation of the parks. Support capacity building in agribusiness and promote youth engagement and employment in the agricultural sector.
Deepen cooperation on food security and agri-food system. Step up policy and technical exchange and cooperation in areas of food loss and waste reduction, quality standards, productivity enhancement, nutrition and safety, and emergency supplies, electronic transactions, etc. Promote the food supply chain cooperation to better meet the challenge to food security for the post-COVID period.
Explore the possibility of building and effectively employing the Lancang-Mekong Comprehensive Information Platform for Agriculture Economy and Trade, and Technology. Explore the possibility of holding the Forum for Cooperatives in Lancang-Mekong Countries to enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of agricultural material production capacity, machinery equipment and technology.
4.2.6 Poverty Reduction
Strengthen policy dialogues and experience sharing in the field of poverty reduction and rural development, through the holding of online and offline exchange activities such as forums, workshops and seminars and village leaders exchange programs.
Carry out poverty reduction pilot projects. Hold various seminars on poverty reduction to promote the capacity of the member countries in poverty reduction policy formulation and implementation, and undertake policy consultation and technical assistance cooperation based on demands of the six member countries.
Give serious consideration to undertake demonstration projects (or flagship projects) for comprehensive poverty alleviation and development, and explore the establishment of a Lancang-Mekong poverty alleviation training center.
Underscore the issue of poverty eradication and inequality reduction in the post-pandemic era, promote the utilisation of science, technology and innovation, including data science, to support targeted poverty alleviation, enhance education equality, and provide knowledge products of poverty reduction and rural development for Lancang-Mekong countries through joint research and case development.
4.2.7 Digital Economy
Strengthen policy dialogues for digital economy, explore the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Partnership Program for Digital Economy, and jointly enhance the support of startup ecosystem and digital business of Lancang-Mekong countries, as well as capacity development on digital transformation. Enhance regulatory capacity building in digital economy and e-commerce in order to ensure personal data protection and create safe, secure and favorable cyberspace environment for digital economy development.
Support the demand of Lancang-Mekong countries for information and communication technologies and digital development, jointly enhance the information network service capability, bridge digital divide, foster digital transformation, promote cooperation on cross-border e-commerce, smart cities and digitalization of MSMEs. Promote interoperability among digital systems and encourage the adoption of open standards.
Encourage the construction of digital and information communication infrastructure, encourage cooperation in the planning and construction of sea-land cables, information communication networks, etc. Encourage further cooperation in emerging technology areas, such as Artificial Intelligence,blockchain technology, big data, cloud computing, 5G, Internet of Things, space economy, Industrial Internet, telemedicine, agro-tech, natural language processing, distance education, cyber security, and other emerging technologies for the development of the industry 4.0. Encourage the application of the new generation of information technology to the manufacturing industry, and push forward Internet-based and automation solutions to the manufacturing industry.
Support cooperation between open-source institutions of public and private in all member countries, and encourage related enterprises to participate in the construction of open-source projects to conduct secondary development and promote commercial applications.
Strengthen and develop digital skills and capacity-building among Lancang-Mekong countries through training, scholarships, exchanges and up-skilling and re-skilling programs.
4.2.8 Scientific and Technical Innovation
Build a cooperation framework for Lancang-Mekong scientific and technical innovation, set up a vibrant ecosystem of scientific and technical innovation to promote the R&D, application, commercialization and technology transfer in mutually agreed important areas, and explore the establishment of innovation corridors to support industrial development in the sub-region, especially in the border areas and special economic zones or industrial cities.
Strengthen cooperation in the field of intellectual property through pragmatic cooperation projects in aspects of capacity building, talent cultivation, and utilization of intellectual property rights, and jointly advance the innovative development of Lancang-Mekong countries.
Promote technical and research collaboration for the development of bio-circular-green economy, in particular, technological and innovation solutions that facilitate the transition to circular economy, carbon neutrality and net zero emission.
Deepen cooperation in satellite development and satellite ground stations, and improve the space capability building of Lancang-Mekong countries.
Promote the application of advanced space technologies based on the needs of member countries to agriculture, forestry, workplace safety, road