Li Keqiang Attends the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit

On September 9, 2021, Premier Li Keqiang attended the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit and delivered a speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The Summit was held via video link, chaired by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and attended by leaders from Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and Asian Development Bank.

Li Keqiang said that since its establishment, the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation mechanism has benefited the economic and social development of the countries involved and improved their people’s livelihood, contributing to the region’s stability and prosperity.

Li Keqiang pointed out that as new challenges present themselves, countries in the subregion should build consensus, enhance political mutual trust, broaden cooperation areas, improve cooperation levels, and jointly promote the sustainable and inclusive development of the subregion. Li put forward a six-pronged proposal, covering deepening cooperation on water resources, making joint efforts in pandemic control and vaccine cooperation with a scientific spirit and by adhering to scientific rules, strengthening trade and investment, promoting connectivity to achieve coordinated development, promoting sustainable development, and consolidating political trust and safeguarding common interests of GMS countries.

Participating leaders appreciated Premier Li’s suggestions, thanked China for its help in fighting against the pandemic, and expressed that GMS nations should uphold multilateralism, turn challenges into opportunities, and promote strong economic and social recovery of countries in the region.