Youth in Lancang-Mekong regions unite to promote green future
China Daily
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China will continue to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among children and young people from the Lancang-Mekong regions in a joint effort to build a green, sustainable future for all, officials said.

File photo: CFP

On Wednesday, the All China Women's Federation and the China National Children's Center concluded a four-day exchange camp called "A Green Lifestyle for Children in Lancang-Mekong Countries" in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. More than 200 teachers and students from China, Thailand and Laos participated in the event, which was held both online and offline.

China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand established the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework in 2016 to promote mutually beneficial collaboration and jointly address regional challenges such as safeguarding biodiversity.

Southeast Asian nations have been a focus of China's recent diplomatic interactions. On Wednesday, President Xi Jinping met with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing. Last month, Xi visited Thailand and attended the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Yu Dongyun, director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the China National Children's Center, said children are the hope and future of the world, and the event has provided a platform for young people from these countries to form bonds and learn from each other.

Bearing in mind the goal of "sustainable environmental development", "I believe that the seeds of the 'Lancang-Mekong family' will be planted and later germinate in the hearts of the children," Yu said.

Liang Chunhua, vice-chairwoman of the Women's Federation of Guangxi, said the event is a testimony to China's diplomatic mission of promoting world peace and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

China will join hands with other countries from the Lancang-Mekong region to deepen exchanges in fields related to child development, she said.

Wasin Dhamavasi, deputy consul-general of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Nanning, said the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation has strove to promote environmental protection and preservation, including raising awareness in children and youths.

"China's proactive role in this area is most commendable," he said. "When children and youths develop a better understanding of environmental issues, they can make responsible decisions."

Dhamavasi said he is confident that cooperation will foster the right environment for future generations to carry forward the cordial friendship between MLC countries, and make contributions to building a greener MLC community with a shared future.

Sirin Liyawarakhun, a Thai student studying in Nanning, said he was very happy to take part in the exchange in China and hoped to work with his friends to protect Earth in the future.