BEIJING, Nov. 29, 2017 -- A Lancang-Mekong environmental cooperation center was inaugurated in Beijing Tuesday to promote sustainable development among Lancang-Mekong countries.

The center aims to promote coordination on regional environmental protection policies and concrete projects and provide capacity building for regional cooperation, said Chinese Vice Minister of Environmental Protection Huang Runqiu at the launching ceremony.

"Addressing environmental challenges, sharing environmental protection experiences and promoting sustainable development are common goals for Lancang-Mekong countries," said Huang.

Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, a sub-regional cooperation mechanism jointly established in 2015 by the six countries along the Mekong River (known in China as Lancang River), namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Priority areas under the mechanism include connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture, and poverty reduction.