——我们要构建更加开放的合作格局。开放是次区域发展的生命线。次区域发展取得的成就靠的是开放，未来争取更大发展仍然要靠开放。

　　我们要不断促进贸易和投资自由化便利化，支持多边贸易体制，推动经济全球化朝着开放、包容、普惠、平衡、共赢的方向发展。要增强紧迫感，拿出行动力，推动“区域全面经济伙伴关系协定”尽早结束谈判，引领区域自贸体系建设，为次区域发展营造有利外部环境。要努力改善营商环境，让市场主体活跃起来，让经济要素更顺畅、高效地流动起来。

Second, we need to support openness in our practical cooperation. Openness has been essential to the development of our sub-region. Without it, we could not have accomplished so much; to secure greater development in the future, we also need to expand openness. 

We must continue to drive trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, support the multilateral trading system and promote an open, inclusive and balanced economic globalization that benefits all. We need to act with a greater sense of urgency to bring to an early conclusion the RCEP negotiations to lead the way for the regional free trade architecture and to foster a sound external environment for sub-regional development. We also need to improve the business environment to energize market entities and enable factors of production to flow more smoothly and efficiently.

　　中国一贯倡导构建开放型世界经济，坚持在开放中实现互利共赢，坚决反对搞贸易保护主义。搞保护主义既损人也不利己，是没有终点的单程票。通过平等协商、按照国际规则解决贸易争端才是正道。

　　——我们要打造更加联动的互联互通网络。次区域经济合作出现今天的好局面，一个重要原因是我们一直紧紧抓住基础设施互联互通这个牛鼻子。这是次区域发展的坚实基础，也是未来发展的重要增长点。

China has long been an advocate of an open world economy. China is committed to win-win cooperation in opening-up and firmly opposes trade protectionism. Protectionism harms others without benefiting oneself; it is a one-way street that leads nowhere. The right approach to address trade disputes is to conduct consultation in line with international rules and as equals. 

Third, we need to improve our network of connectivity. For GMS cooperation to come this far, our priority in infrastructure connectivity has proven a major contributing factor. Physical connectivity provides a solid foundation for development in our sub-region. It also represents an important area for future growth.

　　中方愿重点推进中老、中泰铁路、中缅陆水联运等重大项目，完善基础设施联通网络。同时把交通走廊和经济走廊建设有机融合，充分释放互联互通振兴经济、改善民生的潜力。我们愿与各国一道，加强政策、规制和标准对接协调，落实跨境运输便利化协定，尽快补足“软联通”的短板，形成全方位、复合型互联互通网络。

　　大湄公河地区是古代海上丝绸之路的必经之地，也是“丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的交汇地带，参与“一带一路”国际合作条件得天独厚，基础牢固。

China will work on the China-Laos railway, the China-Thailand railway, the China-Myanmar land-water transportation facility and other key projects to enhance our infrastructure network. We should also enhance the synergy between the development of transport corridors and that of economic corridors to fully leverage their role in boosting the economy and improving people’s lives. China will work with other GMS countries to further harmonize policies, regulations and standards and implement the Cross Border Transport Facilitation Agreement, as these efforts will help us strengthen the weak links in institutional connectivity and build an all-round and multi-dimensional connectivity network.

The Greater Mekong sub-region, once an important area along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, is now where the Silk Road Economic Belt connects with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This puts the GMS countries in a solid and unique position in the Belt and Road cooperation.