Xishuangbanna:The Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture is hosting the 14th Lancang-Mekong Arts and Culture Festival from October 28 to November 1, 2026. Artists from six countries within the Lancang-Mekong River basin are participating in this event, which is themed around sharing the same river and fostering family ties, highlighting the strong friendship among all the countries in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the festival features a variety of cultural performances and exchanges. Thailand, as a co-chair of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism, is emphasizing the role of youth. Ms. Phawiwan Norapallop, Consul-General of Thailand in Kunming, highlighted the importance of youth development and strong people-to-people ties as crucial foundations for advancing cooperation among the six countries. She expressed hope that the youth would use this platform to expand cooperation into fields such as advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
Representatives from other participating countries echoed similar sentiments. Mr. Tse Ya Miao Min, Consul-General of Myanmar in Kunming, emphasized the unique cultural and artistic identity of each country and ethnicity, noting that the festival serves as a platform for showcasing top-tier artistic works. He noted that the festival's impact would extend beyond arts and culture to positively influence economic and social exchanges.
Mr. Khong Su Rui, Deputy Director of the ASEAN Affairs Office at Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Arts, remarked on Cambodia's continuous participation in the festival, emphasizing its role in enhancing cross-cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people ties. He also noted the practical approach of linking cultural dimensions to economic development as a means to preserve national heritage.
Professor Meifeng Meisai, Rector of the National University of Health Sciences of Laos, shared the view that art transcends borders and connects people of different nationalities and languages, as evidenced by the smiles and happiness observed throughout the festival.
The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework, established in 2016, includes China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its objectives are to promote political, economic, and sustainable development cooperation in the sub-region. Currently, Thailand co-chairs the LMC with China for the 2024-2025 term, focusing on economic recovery, combating transnational crime, and encouraging innovation among young people.