As a member of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), the Chinese government attaches great importance to cultural and people-to-people exchanges with LMC countries. Water resources cooperation is a priority area of LMC. Against the background of global warming, the Mekong countries are faced with challenges of water resources to varying degrees, and water governance capacity needs to be improved. It is of special significance to carry out technical exchanges and personnel training in the field of water resources. Since 2017, with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources of China, the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (hereinafter referred to as "LMC Water Center") and Hohai University have jointly applied to the Ministry of Education for the Master Program on Youth Talent for Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation, and then successfully won the “Silk Road” Chinese Government Scholarship, which aims to attract high-level talents from the water resource related departments of the Mekong countries. At present, about 100 young officials, teachers and students from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam are studying postgraduate courses on China's experience and technology in water resources management, hydraulic engineering construction, flood control and disater reduction in Hohai University,majoring in hydraulic engineering, environmental science and engineering and civil engineering.  

1. Admission 

In order to build a solid foundation for the Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation, the LMC Water Center and Hohai University continue to enroll officials and scholars from water-related departments from Mekong countries to study in China in 2020. After consultation with Hohai University, the LMC Water Center started the enrollment at the end of January. On February 12, a letter was formally sent to the Working Group on Water Resources Cooperation of Mekong Countries, Chinese embassies in the Mekong River countries, and enterprises as well as institutions related to China's participation in Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. A copy was also sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Mekong countries and their embassies in China,requesting assistance to facilitate the enrollment.  

Due to the COVID-19, government officers of the Mekong countries work remotely. Therefore, the communication channel is not smooth. Given the tight schedule and heavy tasks, the LMC Water Center has intensified communication and coordination. On the one hand, the LMC Water Center actively follows the latest policies of the China Scholarship Council, the Ministry of Education and Hohai University's response, requesting possible extension of the registration; on the other hand, besides making full use of existing communication channels, the LMC Water Center makes every effort to mobilize all forces, expand new channels, strengthen contacts with universities of Mekong countries and the Ministry of Education and other government departments, request extensive recommendation, and lose no time in implementation.  

Candidates' English proficiency, professional competence and comprehensive quality were evaluated by the experts through video interview. The qualified candidates were reported to China Scholarship Council of the Ministry of Education for approval.In October, a total of 25 international students successfully completed their online enrollment and began studying remotely. 

2. Training and management  

Since the implementation of the project, the LMC Water Center and Hohai University have held regular seminars to care about students' study and life. More than 10 international students participated in the research of the report on higher education of water resources in the Mekong countries and the report on Water Education for the public in the Mekong countries. International students from Myanmar and Cambodia participated in the “Belt and Road” national research project in Jiangsu Province. The first students enrolled in 2017 have graduated in June 2020. International students of the "LMC Water Cooperation" project performed well and were able to actively integrate into the tutor team to complete scientific research tasks. One of the Vietnamese students has performed so well that she graduated ahead of schedule in June 2019, and continued to study for a doctorate degree at Hohai University. 

Vietnamese student representative Ms. Nguyen

Myanmar students perform traditional national dance at the New Year's party

In order to highlight the characteristics of the project and enhance the friendship among LMC Water youths, the LMC Water Center has assisted Hohai University in organizing many colorful activities.

International students visit the South-to-North Water Diversion Project

International students exchange in Asia Pacific small hydropower

Overseas students from Mekong countries visit the LMC Water Center

November 23-25, 2018, the LMC Water Center and Hohai University co-hosted the China-ASEAN Youth Water Talent Exchange and "Experience China’s Water" activity, and invited 26 students from Mekong countries to visit Nanjing Academy of Hydraulic Sciences and Nanjing Water Conservancy and Hydrology Automation Research Institute, China Water Northern Survey, Design and Research Co., Ltd., South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Engineering Construction Administration, Beijing Tuancheng Lake Management Office of South-to-North Water Diversion, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research and other relevant water conservancy.Meanwhile, they had a deep communication with Chinese experts. The group photo of the students at the LMC Water Center, as one of the typical outcomes of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation mechanism, was selected for the large-scale achievement exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

2019 Exchange site of LMC week

2019 Exchange site of LMC week

On March 21, 2019, the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Youth Forum was held, co-sponsored by LMC Water Center, Hohai University and Nanjing Institute of Hydraulic Research, under the guidance of the National Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Water Resources. Liu Zhiguang, director of the National Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Water Resources, and Salermxay Thathongsak Counselor of the Lao Embassy in China attended the event. The theme of this event was youth talent in the Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. International students focused on water resources development and utilization needs of various countries, expounded the great significance of Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation and expressed the mission of young people.  

Three Gorges investigation site, China-ASEAN Countries Training Program on Flood Control and Drought Relief Technology

China-ASEAN Countries Workshop on Flood Control, Drought Relief and Integrated Water Resources Management 

July 25-August 1, 2019, the China-ASEAN Countries Training Program on Flood Control and Drought Relief Technology was held in Wuhan, Hubei, China. August 5th to 7th, the China-ASEAN Countries Workshop on Flood Control, Drought Relief and Integrated Water Resources Management Held in Kunming, Yunnan, China. The conference conducted discussions on themes such as the Changjiang River flood control plan, the Changjiang River flood control and drought relief practice, the joint flood control dispatch of water conservancy projects, flood control and drought relief and emergency management, and integrated water resources management. 13 project participants visited the Wuhan Yangtze River Dike, the Changjiang River Survey, Planning and Design Institute, the Land Water Test Hub Administration, the Three Gorges Project, the Three Gorges Project Left Bank Power Station, the Fish Breeding Station, the Jingjiang flood diversion project, the Niulanjiang-Dianchi Water Diversion Project. International students learn about China's flood and drought resistance technology and comprehensive water resources management capabilities through practice, and have gained a lot. 

International students visit Shiquan, Shanxi, China

July 12-15, 2019, 11 international students walked into Shiquan, Shaanxi, China, and visited the national soil and water conservation demonstration park, "Golden Silkworm Town-New Charm of Silkworm Township"-Ten Thousand Mu of Sanghai Silk Garment Garden, Chihe Town Wuai Village, participated in the "Golden Bronze Silkworm" International Summit Forum on Silk Road Culture. The students fully realized that the gilt bronze silkworm was a testimony to the millennium history of the Silk Road, a symbol of the Silk Road's role in the economic and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, and a messenger to continue the Silk Road.  

In addition to professional knowledge and practical training, the master program on the youth talents for the Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation focuses on talents exchanges. Hohai University provides Chinese teaching courses for international students from Mekong countries to meet their actual needs. They were invited to the stage of the New Year's Eve Gala to show the traditional friendship between China and the Mekong countries that "drink the same river, and destiny is closely linked" through the gentle, elegant and gentle Lancang-Mekong dance. A series of cultural exchange activities have enabled them to better understand Chinese culture and serve as a bridge between China and Mekong cultural exchanges.  

3. Project results 

"During my studies in China, I learned a lot of hydrology knowledge, and I also conducted research on the water safety of the Mekong River, and gained a lot. I hope that after returning to my country, I will not only help solve the problems of floods and droughts in Thailand, but also serve as a link between the six countries to enhance mutual trust and deepen exchanges and cooperation, and contributes to promoting Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation and promoting the economic and social development of the river basin. Thanks to the Chinese government for implementing the master program on the youth talents for the Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation." Theerapon Thammahora from Thailand in published an article of exchange experience in People's Daily. 

A nation will prosper only when its young people thrive; a country will be full of hope and have a brighter tomorrow only when its younger generations have ideals, ability, and a strong sense of responsibility. Young talents in water resources are closely related to the sustainable use of water resources, economic and social development of Lancang-Mekong countries. They are also important sources of high-quality talents and they take the responsibility of the important historical mission.  

The LMC Water Center has worked closely with Hohai University to continuously promote the cultivation of youth talents, provide high-quality educational resources and a good learning environment for international students, and achieve the lofty ideals of youth in water resources and prospering the country. Water resources cooperation among the LMC countries has made greater contributions to the economic and social development of the basin. 

4. Related materials 

1. The Enrollment Guide of 2020 Master Program on Youth Talents for Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation (see Annex 1) 

2. Talent Cultivating of Master Program on Youth Talents for Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation (see Annex 2-5) 

3. News: Hohai University takes multiple measures to provide high-quality foreign student education for LMC