Myanmar hosts first regional meeting since coup
- Myanmar’s military government hosted the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group meeting with China’s Foreign Minister and counterparts from Mekong Delta nations.
The meeting
- Countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
- Theme: “Solidarity for Peace and Prosperity”
- Location: Bagan (Myanmar), a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Significance: Presence of Foreign Ministers was recognition of Myanmar’s sovereignty and its government.
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group
- Chinese led initiative that includes countries of Mekong Delta.
- Mekong delta: Source of regional tensions due to increasing no. of hydroelectric projects that are altering the flow and raising concerns of ecological damage.
China and Myanmar
- China is Myanmar’s biggest trading partner and an old ally.
- Beijing has invested billions of dollars in Myanmar’s mines, oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure.
- A major arms supplier.
Prelims take away
- Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group
- Mekong river - drainage, tributaries etc.
- Location Based Questions