Students explore Lancang River, for vision of shared future

Two international students from Fudan University - in East China's Shanghai - joined a party of students to explore the rich history and natural beauty of Northwest China's Qinghai province on March 19-22, taking in what is known as the mother of waters in Southeast Asia.

The trip was part of the "2022 Lancang-Mekong Thousand Mile Journey" organized by the Publicity Department of the Qinghai Provincial Party Committee and other units.

The Lancang River – also known as the Mekong River - may have different names, but they actually refer to the same important waterway known as the "East Danube" and the "Golden Waterway" of the region.

With a total length of 4,880 kilometers, the river flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Fudan University's Orrasa Rattana-amornpirom, a doctoral student from Thailand at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs and Yong Yong, a master's degree student from Myanmar at the School of Journalism, were among international students from Fudan University and Hohai University

The group also included experts and academics, as well as media from the Lancang-Mekong River countries who explored the source of the river and conducted a series of activities, including interviews and visits.

From the heights of Dangdai Mountain in the Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture to the depths of the Lancang River, the students visited cultural sites and natural landscapes. These included the Sanjiangyuan Monument, the Yushu Earthquake Memorial Hall and the Princess Wencheng Temple.

Along the way, they traced the flow of the Lancang River and gained a new perspective on its connection between nature and humanity.

"It was the first time for me to recognize that the Yangtze, Yellow and Mekong rivers share the same source. I think nature is borderless and humankind is actually one family," Fudan University's Orrasa said.

Fellow Fudan University student Yong also reflected on the concept of a shared future for humanity, realizing its significance during the trip.

Both were said to have been deeply touched by the resilience and indomitable reconstruction efforts of Yushu city in Qinghai province, following a devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit the area in 2010.

Organizers said the "2022 Mekong-Lancang Thousand Mile Journey" aimed to deepen friendly cooperation and promote economic and social development among the six countries of the Lancang-Mekong sub-region.