MI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOINS WEBINAR OF CHINA-ASEAN KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AND LAUNCH OF THE REPORT ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS

On February 15, 2023, the Center for International Knowledge and Development (CIKD) launched its flagship report on China-ASEAN Economic, Financial, and Development Cooperation marking the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN Financial Crisis.

Mekong Institute (MI)’s Executive Director, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, delivered a presentation at the second session of the conference titled “Approaches to deepening China-ASEAN development cooperation.” His speech, titled “Reinforcing ASEAN-China Cooperation through the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC)”, discussed approaches to strengthen China-ASEAN cooperation.

This was the key message conveyed in his speech:

  The LMC was a useful complement to China-ASEAN cooperation, which helps promote the economic and social development of its members, narrow development gaps, and upgrade overall cooperation between China and ASEAN.

He went on to suggest ways to make cooperation more effective for post-pandemic recovery. These include focusing on demand-driven projects that align with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) broad strategies and programs, data-driven project intervention with a good M&E system, and conducting a project and stakeholder mapping to oversee and synchronize projects from different regional cooperation frameworks. Mr. Suriyan’s insightful and informative presentation provided valuable insights into strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation through the GDI and LMC initiatives. The MI continues to play a crucial role in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development.

Distinguished speakers included:

  • Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director, Mekong Institute
  • WU Zhong, Director-General, Finance Center for South-South Cooperation
  • Chirachai Punkrasin, Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue
  • Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Head of Centre for Asian Studies, National University of Malaysia
  • Guo Yanjun, Director, Institute of Asian Studies, China Foreign Affairs University
  • Palikone Thalongsengchanh, Senior Researcher, National Institute for Economic Research of Laos
  • SIM Sokcheng, Director, Center for Policy Research in Agriculture and Rural Development, Cambodia Development Resource Institute
  • VU Minh Khuong, Associate Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
  • Austin Ong, Programs Director, Integrated Development Studies Institute

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.