Photo: From Chinese Foreign Ministry

Foreign ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand held an informal meeting in Anning, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Friday, during which they exchanged views on joint efforts to combat transnational crimes and agreed to step up the fight against cross-border offenses such as online gambling and telecom fraud, according to a release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa attended the meeting. 

Wang noted that China, Laos, and Thailand are friendly neighbors of Myanmar, have a better understanding of its unique national conditions, and hope more than anyone to see Myanmar restore stability, achieve national reconciliation, hold open and fair elections, and embark on a development path suited to its realities and supported by its people. Since the first meeting of the four sides last year, the situation in Myanmar has generally stabilized, with efforts underway to advance post-earthquake reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty, independence, and national stability.

Wang stressed the need to adhere to a Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned approach, support the choice of the Myanmar people, and resolve differences through dialogue. He called for upholding ASEAN's mediation role and the assistance of neighboring countries, using ASEAN as the main channel while making full use of mechanisms such as the China-Laos-Myanmar-Thailand informal foreign ministers' meeting and the foreign ministers' meeting of Myanmar's neighbors. 

The four foreign ministers also exchanged views on joint efforts to combat transnational crimes. Wang stressed that cracking down on cross-border crimes concerns the safety and well-being of the people, is a shared concern of the four countries, and requires joint action. 

Since the last meeting, the four sides have worked closely together, strengthened border control, and achieved significant results in joint crackdowns on cross-border crimes. However, the regional security situation remains challenging and continued joint efforts are needed, said Wang. 

Wang proposed to strengthen conceptual guidance and institutional building to implement the Global Security Initiative; strengthen joint operations and border control to deny criminals room to operate; strengthen capacity building and judicial cooperation, including public awareness campaigns and training for law enforcement; and strengthen development transformation and social governance, coordinating security and development, continuously improving local economic and social conditions, and eradicating the breeding ground for illicit industries.

The four sides agreed to continue enhancing law enforcement and security cooperation, step up the fight against cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, drug and arms trafficking, and human trafficking, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, according to the release. 

Global Times