Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has boosted regional development, brought tangible benefits to people and aided in efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, officials and experts have said.

They made the remarks at the webinar "Dialogue Between Historic and Cultural Cities of Lancang-Mekong Countries", held on Monday by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Officials and representatives from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam attended the meeting.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN relations.

Li Xikui, vice-president of CPAFFC, said the river the six countries shared, known as the Lancang River in China and the Mekong River in the other five countries it flows through, has nurtured distinctive but closely related cultures. The special bond has helped countries in the region form profound and extensive ties, he said.

In the face of COVID-19, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation counties have joined together to contain the spread of the pandemic and united to boost post-pandemic economic recovery, Li said, adding these efforts have demonstrated the profound friendship of those countries and set a good example for anti-pandemic cooperation.

Member countries have been working to boost tourism, as it plays a vital role in enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Khamphao Erthavanh, Lao ambassador to China, said tourism in Laos will be advanced to a higher stage with support from China and other countries in the region.

The envoy noted the Laos-China railway, which is scheduled to open next month, will serve as fuel for tourism in Laos.

She also called for further cultural cooperation among the six countries to strengthen people-to-people exchanges.