The starting station of the China-Laos Railway international freight train in Kunming, Yunnan Province Photo: Hu Yuwei/GT

At the Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Forum that concluded on Thursday in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, young business leaders from Lancang-Mekong countries emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN cooperation and expressed their optimism about the positive impact of China's new quality productive forces on neighboring countries. The forum, initially proposed by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, aims to enhance practical cooperation among youth in the Lancang-Mekong region and support its economic development.

Representatives from the six Lancang-Mekong countries praised China's economic development and its role in driving the rapid recovery of the Southeast Asian economy. Many participants eagerly sought opportunities to collaborate with China, exchanging contact information and discussing potential business ventures.

The forum attracted more than 100 representatives of youth organizations and youth entrepreneurs from the six Lancang-Mekong countries.

Khun Zaw, an entrepreneur from Myanmar, told the Global Times of his belief that the Chinese economy's vitality can further stimulate the economies of neighboring ASEAN countries. He noted the rapid development of China, which has led to increased regional activities in the Lancang-Mekong area. "As young people from Lancang-Mekong countries, we are thrilled to witness this progress, and the Lancang-Mekong cooperation has boosted the confidence of our young entrepreneurs," he said.

The entrepreneur sees promising prospects for agricultural cooperation between China and Myanmar, and he is optimistic that once the political situation in Myanmar stabilizes, young people in the country will seize opportunities to strengthen cooperation with China.

As a businessman in the avocado industry, he aims to promote avocado industry cooperation between the two countries. "I recently met a potential Chinese business partner at a forum, and he expressed keen interest in our company's avocados. However, there are currently no efficient transportation channels for avocados between our countries. I hope that a solution can be swiftly implemented to help us tap into the Chinese avocado market through the Lancang-Mekong framework for mutually beneficial cooperation."

Zaw also commended the Yunnan Dehong Autonomous Prefecture for organizing a study tour for entrepreneurs to learn about agricultural planting in 2023, particularly in the coffee bean and avocado industries, among ASEAN countries.

Teerin Tanyawattanakul, the president of the Young Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce Thailand, shared his 10 years of experience in rice production with the Global Times. He mentioned that prior to joining the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, his sales channels were limited. However, after becoming part of the framework, he gained access to more channels and connections, leading to a significant increase in sales volume and partnerships, even reaching tens of thousands of partners and multiplying several times.

"Thais are increasingly drawn to China's new energy vehicles, which serve as a tangible representation of China's rapid development and transformation. They are eager to uncover the secrets behind China's impressive progress," Teerin said.

Since the beginning of this year, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has brought about significant economic benefits, further advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and strengthening economic and trade cooperation. China and ASEAN have solidified their positions as each other's largest trading partners, with total trade between the two reaching 1.6 trillion yuan in the first quarter, marking a 6.4 percent year-on-year increase and accounting for 15 percent of China's foreign trade.

Cambodian entrepreneur Houy Buntit has witnessed the positive impact of the China-Laos Railway and the China-Thailand Railway on Laos and Thailand, expressing hope that China's railway network will extend to Cambodia in the future. He commended China's rapid and efficient economic development, contrasting it with the struggles faced by Western countries. Buntit emphasized the importance of leveraging China's innovative forces for comprehensive development, dismissing concerns about alleged overcapacity and highlighting the benefits of Chinese products for developing countries.

During the forum, Wang Yi, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, underscored the pivotal role of youth in fostering Lancang-Mekong cooperation and building a harmonious community for shared prosperity. She urged young entrepreneurs and youth organizations from Lancang-Mekong countries to enhance exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, drive innovation, and promote practical cooperation for common prosperity.

Kunming Declaration of Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Cooperation is released at the Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Forum Photo: Hu Yuwei/GT

Wang Zhengying, Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province highlighted the region's commitment to expanding Lancang-Mekong cooperation and fostering cultural exchange. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Yunnan, emphasizing the region's strategic location and potential for growth.

Tanyawattanakul from Thailand emphasized the shared cultural heritage and abundant resources of Lancang-Mekong countries, urging young entrepreneurs to capitalize on regional advantages and seek new avenues for cooperation. The forum concluded with the "Kunming Declaration of Lancang-Mekong Youth Entrepreneurs Cooperation," outlining a framework for collaboration among young entrepreneurs from the region and emphasizing the importance of innovation, openness, and shared prosperity in building a closer community for Lancang-Mekong countries.

The forum was hosted by All-China Youth Federation, China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association, and organized by China International Youth Exchange Center, Yunnan Youth Federation, and the government of Kunming.