Brontekst bekijken van China Southeast Asian Leaders Seek Greater Cooperation

SANYA, China (AP) — Leaders from China and five neighboring Southeast Asian countries met in a southern Chinese resort city on Wednesday amid wariness but also hope for greater regional cooperation. <br><br>The inaugural Lancang-[http://www.mekongrustic.com homestay mekong delta vietnam] Cooperation meeting, named for the mighty waterway that begins in Tibet and discharges into the South China Sea in [https://Www.Flickr.com/search/?q=southern southern] [http://www.mekongrustic.com homestay mekong delta vietnam], was framed by the Chinese and Thai co-hosts as a chance to deepen ties and cut trade deals in a fast-growing region. <br><br>The five Southeast Asian countries that run along the [http://www.mekongrustic.com homestay mekong delta vietnam] represent a key market for China under a sweeping strategy to boost trade and foreign investment called "One Belt, One Road." China has wooed the region with eye-catching projects including a textile-making hub in Cambodia, a deep sea port in Myanmar and new railways in Thailand. <br><br>Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who co-hosted the summit in the city of Sanya with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, called on participants from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to improve mutual trust, enhance trade and "make this region an important force for stability." <br><br>A number of development and trade deals were expected to be signed.<br><br>However, several countries have expressed concern about their giant neighbor's rise, including Vietnam, which has competing maritime claims in the South China Sea.