Wang Yi Meets Thailand, Laos and Myanmar Officials as China Seeks Stronger Mekong Regional Cooperation
Beijing says it will expand trade and investment with Thailand while supporting political reconciliation in Myanmar and deeper cooperation across the Mekong subregion.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate meetings with senior officials from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar on Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian neighbors and advance cooperation under the Lancang-Mekong framework.
The meetings took place in Beijing ahead of the 11th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting, scheduled for November 3–4. The regional mechanism brings together China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to promote economic development and cooperation along the Mekong River.
According to Reuters, Wang met separately with officials from the three countries as China seeks to expand its diplomatic and economic engagement with Southeast Asia.
During the meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Wang said China was willing to further open its market to Thailand, encourage Chinese investment and expand cooperation in emerging sectors. These include artificial intelligence, computing centers and semiconductors, according to reporting by Anadolu Agency.
Wang also called for stronger cooperation between China and Thailand in combating online gambling and telecommunications fraud. Illegal call-center operations in parts of Southeast Asia have become a major concern for regional governments, with criminal networks using online platforms and telecommunications systems to defraud victims in multiple countries.
Some of these operations rely on trafficked workers who are forced to participate in scam activities. Authorities in Thailand, China and neighboring countries have increased efforts to identify criminal networks, rescue victims and disrupt cross-border operations.
The issue has become an important component of China's regional security diplomacy. Beijing has repeatedly called for neighboring countries to cooperate more closely in addressing organized crime, cyber-enabled fraud and other transnational threats.
Myanmar was another significant focus of the discussions. Wang said China supported Myanmar's government in pursuing political reconciliation, according to statements released by China's Foreign Ministry.
Myanmar has faced a prolonged civil war since the military takeover in 2021. The conflict has caused widespread displacement, economic disruption and humanitarian difficulties. The United Nations has estimated that the fighting has killed approximately 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million.
China shares a long border with Myanmar and has significant interests in the country's political stability. These include cross-border trade, energy infrastructure, transport projects and the security of Chinese nationals and investments.
Beijing has maintained contacts with different political and military actors in Myanmar while calling for stability and dialogue. However, the country's conflict involves multiple armed groups and competing political interests, making a negotiated settlement difficult.
Laos also occupies an important position in China's regional strategy. The two countries have developed close economic ties through infrastructure projects, trade and the China-Laos Railway, which connects southwestern China with Vientiane and provides a transport link toward other Southeast Asian markets.
The upcoming Lancang-Mekong meeting is expected to review progress under the cooperation framework and discuss future priorities. According to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting will also consider ways to ensure that regional cooperation delivers practical benefits to people across the subregion.
Key issues include transnational crime, water-resource management, regional connectivity, trade and environmental challenges such as transboundary haze.
The Mekong River is particularly important for agriculture, fisheries, transportation and livelihoods across mainland Southeast Asia. Changes in water flows and dam operations have therefore become sensitive subjects among countries sharing the river basin.
For China, stronger engagement through the Lancang-Mekong mechanism offers a way to promote regional connectivity and economic integration while addressing security concerns along its southern borders.
The meetings demonstrate Beijing's intention to combine economic cooperation with regional security diplomacy. Whether the discussions lead to practical progress will depend on how effectively participating governments coordinate policies and implement agreements.