VOA常速英语:湄公河-美国伙伴关系

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government. On September 11, the United States, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the ASEAN Secretariat launched the Mekong-U.S. Partnership. This new Partnership reflects the importance of the Mekong region to the United States and will expand on cooperation begun in 2009 under the Lower Mekong Initiative. “We will build on the good work of the Lower Mekong Initiative and the $3.5 billion in regional U.S. assistance during the last eleven years,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. At the inaugural meeting of the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, the United States announced more than $150 million in assistance for the Mekong region.

Of that total, $52 million is supporting COVID-19 recovery, $55 million will counter transnational crime, $33 million will help develop sustainable and secure energy markets, and $2 million will help fight human trafficking. The Mekong-U.S. Partnership is committed to the autonomy, economic independence, good governance, and sustainable growth of partner countries. “We have supported economic growth with more than $1 billion to develop infrastructure in ASEAN countries through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and plan to invest billions more in the coming years,” said Secretary Pompeo. Through the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, the United States looks forward to defending the interests of its partner countries and collaborating to ensure a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Mekong region. That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.