Linked by mountains and rivers, the Lancang-Mekong countries are neighbors to one another. Under the COVID-19 global pandemic, Lancang-Mekong people share the same destiny. On February 20th, the Fifth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control efforts. This meeting embodies the LMC tradition of offering sincere mutual assistance and demonstrates the spirit of Lancang-Mekong countries overcoming difficulties together.

To celebrate the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Week in 2020, let us review the wonderful moments from the Lancang-Mekong Youth Friendship Exchange Program in 2019, send sincere greetings to youth representatives involved in previous activities, and share hopes that the Lancang-Mekong Youth Friendship Exchange Program in 2020 will continue to make glorious contributions to regional development.

As a sustainable youth exchange brand program, "Lancang-Mekong Youth Friendship Exchange Program” is jointly carried out by the All-China Youth Federation and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand under the framework of Lancang Mekong cooperation. Since 2001, the project has been successfully held for 14 consecutive times, and has had positive influences on the youth groups from all six countries.

I learned a lot of things from the program. We exchanged views on innovation, technology, sustainable development, and youth entrepreneurship.—— Cambodian Youth Representative Sothepiseth

Youth representatives from six countries not only discussed the importance of youth participation in sustainable development, but also shared their ideas and experiences in the field of innovation and Entrepreneurship from their own experiences.——Chinese Youth Representative Dai Jiaze

This is a memorable program. Ideas and knowledge were shared all the time among my peers and I managed to learn a lot of things. ——Laotian Youth Representative Duang Chay

From this program, I got to know a lot of friends from the six countries and gain experiences and great memories.——Myanmar Youth Representative Naing Ei Wai

This program introduced us to a lot of foreign friends and foreign cultures and helped us accumulate a lot of experience. I hope we can participate in it again next time.——Thai Youth Representative Pim

To me, it's not just a program, it's also an experience. So to all the 2020 delegates who will be grabbing onto this opportunity, I just have one thing to say to you, which is to bravely pave your own path and enjoy the amazing things you encounter in the journey.——Vietnamese Youth Representative Nguyen Ngoc Hai

This program is a platform for youth from the different countries to deepen their friendship and actively advocate for the vision of a shared future for mankind. What’s more, it helps the youth better understand the “One Belt and One Road” Initiative, encouraging them to take on the responsibility for becoming promoters and builders of common regional development. Let's look forward to the exchange of opinions, the continuous spark of creativity and the collision of ideas among the Lancang-Mekong youth once again in 2020.