Chinese Vice Minister of Communications Hu Xijie Friday called on the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries to make relentless efforts for common prosperity in the region.

Hu made the appeal at a meeting of the Joint Committee of the GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement which opened in Phnom Penh Friday.

"To strengthen economic cooperation among us and complement each other with our individual advantages is conducive to achieving the objective of common development," Hu said.

"It can also help us to participate in global economic cooperation and competition," Hu said. "And enhance our status as well as that of the whole subregion in global economies."

Besides China, GMS countries also include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

To facilitate the flow of people and goods among six GMS countries and optimize the efficiency of transport by road, the Chinese government joined the GMS agreement at the Cambodia Summit of Leaders held in November 2002.

The six GMS countries have completed the negotiations on the Stage I Annexes/Protocols of the Agreement. And three days ago, delegates from six GMS countries started the negotiations on Stage II Annexes and Protocols of the Agreement.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2004)