Visitors walk by a model of China's next generation bullet train "Fuxing" during the Economic and Technological Exhibition for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 13, 2017. The Exhibition opened on Thursday as part of Lancang-Mekong countries' efforts to boost regional trade and investment. (Xinhua/Sovannara)
PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Lancang-Mekong Economic and Technological Exhibition opened in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Thursday as part of Lancang-Mekong countries' efforts to boost regional trade and investment.
Zhang Wei, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said some 130 enterprises in the Lancang-Mekong countries -- China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, displayed their products and services at the four-day event.
"The exhibition aims at deepening friendship between the people of China and the peoples of five Mekong countries," he said during the opening ceremony held at the Diamond Island Exhibition Center.
At the event, the exhibitors showcased their products and services related to infrastructure, high-speed railway, transportation, construction, energy, automobile, agriculture, tourism and information and communication technology.
"I believe that this exhibition will contribute to economic and technological development in the Lancang-Mekong countries," he said.
Tan Qingsheng, charge d'affairs of the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia, said the exhibition was launched following a consensus reached during the second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation foreign ministers' meeting in last December in Cambodia.
He said that with strong support from the leaders of the Lancang-Mekong countries and active participation from the private sector, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation will become "a role model of regional cooperation" and bring great benefit to the peoples along the river.
Cambodian Commerce Ministry Secretary of State Chhuon Dara said the event was crucial to further promoting economic and trade relations among the Lancang-Mekong countries.
"It offers an opportunity to entrepreneurs along the Lancang-Mekong countries to meet and seek cooperation in trade, investment and technology," he said. "I'm confident that this exhibition will significantly contribute to enhancing the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation."
The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation was initiated in 2014, focusing on five priority areas -- connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture and poverty reduction.
Nguon Meng Tech, director general of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, said the exhibition would further strengthen understanding and friendship and facilitate cooperative relations in business, trade, technology and investment among enterprises along the reach of Lancang-Mekong River.
"In today's global economy, technological sector plays a very important role in promoting the economic growth. Therefore, I think that this exhibition is very significant not only for Cambodia, but also for all Lancang-Mekong countries in strengthening cooperation and seeking business partners in technological sector," he said.
