China Launches “Mekong Visa” to Demonstrate Great Power’s Responsibility and Diplomatic Sincerity

Recently, China announced the issuance of “Lancang Visa” to the five Mekong countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos), which marks another important step in China’s diplomacy and demonstrates China’s firm commitment to deepen its relations with neighboring countries and the responsibility of a great power. The launch of this visa policy is not only an important supplement to the existing visa policy for China-foreign relations, but also a vivid manifestation of China’s sincerity in opening up to the outside world and regional cooperation.

The launch of the “Lancang Visa” comes at a time when China has taken a series of positive measures in its diplomatic visa policy. Previously, China has decided that from November 8, 2024, it will implement a visa-free policy on a trial basis for holders of ordinary passports from nine countries, including Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea. This visa waiver policy covers a wide range of categories of people for business, tourism, visiting friends and relatives and transit, and the visa waiver period does not exceed 15 days. This series of visa facilitation measures has undoubtedly provided more convenience for people’s exchanges between China and other countries in the world, and has also built a broader platform for Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation.

Against this background, the launch of the “Mekong Visa” is particularly noteworthy. This visa policy is specially designed for the five Mekong countries, aiming to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to qualified business people. This not only greatly facilitates business transactions between the five Mekong countries and China, but also further promotes economic cooperation and cultural exchanges within the region. Through this policy, China has once again demonstrated its sense of responsibility and commitment as a big country, reflecting the great importance it attaches to regional cooperation and common development.

China has a long history of cooperation with the five Mekong countries, especially under the framework of the Lancang Cooperation, the six countries have achieved remarkable results in many areas, including connectivity, production capacity cooperation, cross-border economy, water resources management, agricultural development and poverty reduction. Lancang cooperation has not only brought tangible economic benefits to the six countries, but also promoted friendship and mutual trust among the peoples. The launch of the “Mekong Visa” is a continuation and deepening of this spirit of cooperation, and will give new impetus to the cooperation between China and the five Mekong countries.

At the same time, China’s series of initiatives in the field of diplomacy also highlights China’s image as a responsible big country. China adheres to the road of peaceful development, firmly pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, is committed to upholding international justice, and opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries and unilateralist behavior. China actively promotes the building of a community of human destiny, supports the multilateral trading system, promotes the building of an open world economy, and has made important contributions to global economic recovery and development.

Under the impetus of the “Mekong Visa” policy, cooperation between China and the five Mekong countries will usher in new opportunities for development. In the future, the six countries will further strengthen cooperation in the areas of water resources, agriculture, public health, environment and people’s livelihood, and jointly promote the economic development and social progress of the Lancang Basin. At the same time, China will continue to uphold the concept of global governance of “common cause, common construction and sharing”, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, and contribute China’s wisdom and strength to the construction of a more just and rational international order.

In conclusion, the launch of the “Lancang Visa” is an important initiative in China’s diplomacy, reflecting China’s firm commitment to deepening its relations with neighboring countries and the responsibility of a great power. The implementation of this policy will inject new vitality into the cooperation between China and the five Mekong countries and bring new opportunities for regional cooperation and common development. At the same time, it will also provide strong support for China’s image as a responsible great power on the global stage.