From December 29 to 30, 2025, the 8th Think Tank Forum of Global Center for Mekong Studies was successfully held in Chongqing, China. With the theme "Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in the 2.0 Era: Prospects and Pathways", this forum served as an pivotal think tank event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the LMC mechanism.

The forum was co-hosted by China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Global Center for Mekong Studies (China Center) and Southwest University of Political Science & Law (SWUPL). Wang Dexin, Counselor of the Department of Asian Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a video address. Liu Qing, Vice President of CIIS and Director of the Global Center for Mekong Studies (China Center); Zhang Xiaojun, Vice President of SWUPL, and Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Legal Research Center; and Tu Anh Tuan, Director of Center for Security and Development Research, Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, and Coordinator of the Global Center for Mekong Studies (Vietnam Center), attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches respectively.

Liu Qing, Vice President of CIIS

Zhang Xiaojun, Vice President of SWUPL

Mr. Tu Anh Tuan, Director, Center for Security and Development Research, IFPSS, DAV

Over 50 experts and scholars from national centers of Global Center for Mekong Studies across six countries, Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center, Mekong Institute, Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, Lancang-Mekong Agricultural Cooperation Center, Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation Center, as well as Chinese and foreign universities and research institutions including Kunming South Asia & Southeast Asia International Logistics Research Institute, Fudan University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Jinan University, Yunnan University, Guangxi Minzu University, University of Indonesia, Malaysia Pacific Research Center, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute(Singapore), and Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation of the Philippine, participated in the forum. They conducted in-depth discussions on key topics such as the development experience of the LMC over the past decade, opportunities and challenges in the new stage, and the promotion pathways for the LMC 2.0 version .

Participants spoke highly of the achievements of the LMC over the past ten years, and unanimously agreed that the LMC has evolved from a project-driven "1.0 Era" to a "2.0 Era" featuring rule coordination, institutional connection, and governance synergy. Green and sustainable development, along with digital transformation are set to become new growth poles for cooperation. Meanwhile, cooperation in areas including law enforcement and security, cross-border judicial assistance, and youth talent training needs to be continuously deepened. Taking this forum as a catalyst, participants agreed to strengthen joint research and talent exchanges, facilitate the transformation of think tank achievements into practical cooperation measures, and contribute to higher-quality development of the LMC in the next decade.