LMC question: What does “Anning” mean?

A residential area is seen in Anning, central Yunnan's Kunming city.

Anning as indicated on the map

Anning is a beautiful city under the jurisdiction of central Yunnan’s Kunming city. Located 32 kilometers southwest of Kunming, it serves as a transport hub connecting eight cities/prefectures in west Yunnan and linking directly to Myanmar via Wanding.  

It is the only Chinese county-level city to simultaneously hold three national titles for favorable climate: "China Natural Oxygen Bar," "Summer-Retreat Tourist Destination," and "China Climate Livable City."  

A view of Anning in central Yunnan's Kunming city

Anning as explained in dictionaries

In Chinese dictionaries, the two characters "安宁" (ān níng) mean peace and stability, symbolizing the beauty of life.

The LMC mechanism will be 10 years old in this year. Currently, the Lancang-Mekong countries are at a crucial stage of quickened development. Faced with a turbulent international landscape, as well as the rise of unilateralism, hegemony and protectionism, the countries need to strengthen unity and cooperation for shared growth.  

Thus, Anning represents the hope in our hearts.  

A night view of Anning in central Yunnan's Kunming city

Anning as meant for LMC mechanism 

As the first regional cooperation mechanism aimed at building a community with a shared future, the LMC benefits not only from the close geographical proximity of the six countries but also from their shared aspirations for development.

Over the past decade, the Lancang-Mekong countries have deepened cultural exchanges, strengthened the bonds of mutual understanding, and fostered a Lancang-Mekong culture of "equality, sincerity, mutual assistance, and familial closeness". These have significantly enhanced friendly interactions among the LMC countries.

Anning city is a crucial Chinese gateway connecting South and Southeast Asian countries.

A hot-spring leisure area is seen in Anning, central Yunnan's Kunming city.

Through the LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Anning, the Chinese side hopes to work with the Mekong countries to review cooperation achievements, summarize successful experiences, and plan the mechanism's future development. In building a more resilient Lancang-Mekong belt for economic growth and a closer Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future, the LMC will increase the stability for regional peoples’ well-being and the momentum for sustainable regional development.

We expect Yunnan’s Anning to convey the message of peace and stability to the LMC region and beyond.

Where is Anning?  It’s in our hearts.

By YICC reporters; Photos by Yunnan Daily