Bangkok, Thailand – November 10, 2025 — The Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the Center for International Cultural Communication (CICC) of China International Communications Group and China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Energy Co., Ltd. (CSG-LMI), successfully co-hosted the 2025 China–ASEAN Youth Culture Week: ASEAN (Thailand) Venue.
Under the theme “Shaping a Shared Future · Building a Clean and Beautiful Homeland,” the event gathered more than 60 participants, including youth leaders, representatives from international organizations, the private sector, and media from across China and ASEAN countries. The gathering served as a vibrant platform to celebrate youth innovation and strengthen regional cooperation toward sustainable development.
As a long-standing intergovernmental organization in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), MI has played a pivotal role in promoting regional integration and sustainable development for nearly three decades. In his opening remarks, Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI, emphasized the Institute’s commitment to people-centered development, with youth empowerment as a cornerstone of its programs.
“MI believes youth are not just beneficiaries but co-creators of development,” Mr. Suriyan stated. “Through platforms like the Young GMS Professionals Program and the Mekong Young Scholars Program, we invest in building the next generation of regional leaders.”
Guest speeches set the tone for the afternoon, with leaders from MI, CICC, and the ASEAN–China Commerce Association sharing insights on regional cooperation and youth engagement.
A highlight of the event was the Roundtable Dialogue on “Greening Together: China–ASEAN Green Cooperation and Youth Opportunities.” The session featured dynamic exchanges among senior experts, including:
· Jian Wang, Program Manager, Sustainable Energy and Environment Department, MI
· Diego Ma, Executive Secretary-General, ASEAN–China Commerce Association
· Liu Siyang, Leading Technical Expert, China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd.
Discussions focused on policy coordination, public–private partnerships, and industrial transformation, underscoring the importance of youth-led innovation in driving the green transition across the region.
The Experience Sharing segment followed, featuring inspiring stories from young changemakers, including environmental influencers, scholars, and local employees of Chinese enterprises in ASEAN. Their experiences highlighted how China–ASEAN collaboration is translating into tangible progress for communities and personal growth opportunities for young professionals.
The event concluded with a powerful message: building a clean and beautiful homeland requires creativity, courage, and collaboration across generations and borders. MI reaffirmed its commitment to empowering youth as active partners in the green transformation, aligning with broader regional frameworks such as Lancang–Mekong and China–ASEAN cooperation.
