Cambodia Outlines Five Priorities for Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, Holds Talks With China, Thailand and Vietnam
Cambodia Outlines Five Priorities for Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, Holds Talks With China, Thailand and Vietnam
BEIJING, November 5, 2026 — Cambodia has outlined five key priorities for strengthening regional cooperation under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) framework, while holding a series of bilateral and trilateral discussions with China, Thailand and Vietnam during the 11th MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Beijing on November 3-4, 2026.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn attended the meeting under the theme “Deepening the Building of a Community with a Shared Future: Writing a New Chapter for Mekong-Lancang 2.0.” The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
According to a press release issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the foreign ministers reviewed progress under the three pillars of MLC and discussed future priorities for strengthening regional resilience, promoting shared prosperity and advancing sustainable development.
Looking ahead to the fifth MLC Leaders’ Meeting in China in late December 2026, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes for the six member countries.
Cambodia Proposes Five Key Priorities
In his intervention, Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the MLC framework, guided by mutual respect, mutual benefit, mutual trust and a shared aspiration for peace, stability and prosperity.
He highlighted progress in regional connectivity, economic integration and sustainable development, particularly through the Mekong-Lancang Economic Development Belt, the Mekong-Lancang Innovation Corridors and the Five-Year Plan of Action (2023-2027).
Cambodia also expressed appreciation to China for its support through the MLC Special Fund, which has supported 113 projects in Cambodia, contributing to national development and improving people’s livelihoods.
For the next phase of cooperation under MLC 2.0, Prak Sokhonn outlined five priorities:
- Strengthening mutual trust and safeguarding peace and stability.
- Accelerating economic integration, connectivity and innovation.
- Deepening water resources cooperation and strengthening climate resilience.
- Strengthening collective responses to transnational crimes and emerging security threats.
- Placing people-to-people exchanges at the heart of regional cooperation.
China, Cambodia and Thailand Discuss Bilateral Relations
On the sidelines of the meeting, Wang Yi invited Prak Sokhonn and Sihasak Phuangketkeow for an informal tea meeting.
The three sides held what Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry described as constructive and friendly exchanges on strengthening cooperation, maintaining regional stability and improving relations between Cambodia and Thailand.
Prak Sokhonn also held a bilateral meeting with Wang Yi. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding friendship between Cambodia and China, deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advancing the building of an all-weather Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
They emphasised the importance of translating strategic consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders into concrete cooperation and tangible outcomes.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including recent developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border. They underscored the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in promoting regional peace, stability and sustainable development.
Cambodia and Vietnam Discuss Upcoming Regional Summits
Separately, Prak Sokhonn held a pull-aside meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.
The two ministers discussed the outcomes of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s recent official visit to Cambodia and preparations for the upcoming ACMECS and CLMV summits in Vietnam.
Prak Sokhonn also thanked Vietnam for its support for Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit and expressed anticipation of welcoming Vietnam’s leader to Phnom Penh.
The meetings formed part of Cambodia’s diplomatic engagement at the regional gathering, which brought together foreign ministers from the six Mekong-Lancang cooperation member countries.
