On 14 January 2021, Dr. Anuson Chinvanno, Director of the International Studies Center (ISC) of the DVIFA, in the capacity of Director and Coordinator of the GCMS Thailand Center, attended the Global Center for Mekong Studies (GCMS) Coordinators’ Meeting via video conference.

     The Meeting was attended by directors and coordinators of the six GCMS national centers and co – chaired by Dr. Rong Ying, Vice President of China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) as Director of the GCMS China Center and U Nyunt Maung Shein, Chairman of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies and Director of the GCMS Myanmar Center.

     The Meeting discussed the draft GCMS joint research paper for 2020 titled “The New International Land – Sea Trade Corridor and the role of the Mekong – Lancang Cooperation  (MLC) ” prepared by the GCMS China Center and the GCMS Myanmar Center. The draft joint research paper aims to provide the MLC leaders and other policy makers with a study into how public and private sectors in the Mekong countries could benefit from synergizing the new trade corridor with the Mekong - Lancang economic development belt. Participants discussed a number of important issues in the draft joint research paper including some potential challenges as well as some priority areas.