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Mr. Somboun Siharnath, Director General of the Economic Department at Laos’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Mekong Institute Governing Board, led a delegation on a working visit to China from May 11-15.
The delegation included officials from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mekong Institute Executive Director and representatives from the MI Coordinating Secretariat based in Khon Kaen. The visit covered Beijing and Kunming.The mission was organized as Laos serves as rotating chair of the Mekong Institute Governing Board for the 2025-2027 term under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience: Transforming Policies into Action.” The visit also coincided with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China.During the visit, Somboun Siharnath and the delegation paid a courtesy call on Xu Hao, Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province and China’s member of the MI Governing Board.Both sides reviewed cooperation under the institute’s priority programs and discussed implementation of the new MI Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, focusing on connectivity, trade and investment, tourism, human resource development, environmental protection, traditional medicine production, rural development and poverty reduction.The delegation also met with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Affairs, a standing member of the MI Governing Board, to discuss strengthening cooperation among member countries and aligning efforts with regional mechanisms including the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, ASEAN-China cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.Meetings were also held with representatives of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the China International Development Cooperation Agency to discuss future cooperation projects.In Yunnan Province, the delegation visited the provincial Department of Science and Technology, Southwest Forestry University and China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co., Ltd.Officials said the visit strengthened cooperation between Laos, China and regional partners while supporting Laos’ role as rotating chair of the Mekong Institute Governing Board.KPL
