STORY: LMC countries hold seminar in Myanmar to boost cultural heritage tourism
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 23, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 24, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:26
LOCATION: BAGAN, Myanmar
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the seminar
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MA JIA, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar
3. various of the seminar
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): THET THET KHINE, Myanmar's Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism

STORYLINE:

A seminar on making tourism more sustainable in cultural heritage destinations among the Lancang-Mekong regional countries was held in Bagan, Myanmar, on Friday.

Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia said during the seminar, a project under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, that the LMC has achieved fruitful results since its launch in 2016, significantly contributing to the peace, stability, development, and prosperity of the region and turning into a "golden example" for regional cooperation.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MA JIA, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar
"The Lancang River, known as the Mekong River after flowing out of China, flows unceasingly, with the six countries along the banks living as close neighbors and partners. Since the launch of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in 2016, we have traversed an eight-year journey and achieved fruitful results, significantly contributing to the peace, stability, development, and prosperity of the region, turning into a 'golden example' for regional cooperation. This year marks the beginning of the second LMC Five-Year Plan of Action. The just-concluded LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting committed to continue to build a safe, innovative, sustainable and amicable Lancang-Mekong region, which will benefit the people from all countries of the region."

This seminar is based on the realities of the region and focuses on the theme of development. It provides an excellent platform for the cultural and tourism sectors of the LMC countries to engage in dialogues and discussions for development, Ma added.

Myanmar's Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism Thet Thet Khine expressed her thanks for China's contribution to the LMC initiative. 

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): THET THET KHINE, Myanmar's Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism
"As we focus on the detailed aspects of this project, it is essential to highlight the significance of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC). Initiated in 2015, the MLC has played a vital role in fostering regional development and enhancing collaboration among member countries. The Mekong River, a lifeline for millions of people, has connected our nations for centuries, serving as a symbol of unity and shared aspirations."

LMC countries should work towards a future where their cultural heritage is preserved with integrity, and their tourism practices are sustainable and inclusive, Thet Thet Khine added.

The seminar invited government officials, experts, and personnel of tourism sectors from the six LMC countries to discuss and exchange views on the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage and the development of tourism.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bagan, Myanmar.
(XHTV)