Mr. Phuc underscored 5 key items at the online third Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders' Meeting attended by high-ranking officials from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand, and co-chaired by the Lao and Chinese PMs.

“First, cooperation on the basis of trust and sincere and friendly relations. Second, ensuring the principles of consensus, equality, mutual benefit, and respect for international law. Third, making people the center of all sustainable development activities. Fourth, finding solutions to common challenges in the region that protect the interests of all member countries. Fifth, harmonious coordination with ASEAN and other Mekong mechanisms,” he said.

PM Phuc said that Mekong-Lancang cooperation should focus on helping member countries recover their economies while coping with the COVID-19 epidemic and  drought and salt water intrusion in the Mekong basin.

It is vital to work together closely to minimize the negative effects of the coronavirus epidemic, protect the supply chain, and meet businesses’ needs in production, trading, export and import.

Mr. Phuc hailed China’s establishment of the Mekong-Lancang Special Fund for public health.