Li Fei, China's vice minister of commerce, delivers a keynote speech during a promotional event of the China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, capital city of southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sept. 16, 2023. [Photo by Yan Bin/China.org.cn]

As part of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo, a special promotional event titled "Invest in China Year – A Trip to Guangxi" was held at the Nanning Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sept. 16. The event aimed to showcase Guangxi's potential and opportunities for both Chinese and foreign businesses and investors.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Li Fei, China's vice minister of commerce, emphasized Guangxi's unique advantages, including its location, transportation infrastructure, natural resources, and close ties with ASEAN. He encouraged Guangxi to develop an international corridor to the ASEAN region. This would solidify its strategic role in opening up China's southwest and mid-south regions, bolstering the Belt and Road Initiative's momentum.

Nam Lynal, undersecretary of state of the Ministry of Commerce from Cambodia, shared his optimism about the ongoing China-ASEAN Expo. He envisioned enhanced regional economic cooperation, noting, "China's high-quality development brings abundant opportunities for ASEAN despite global challenges."

Government officials and business leaders participate in a discussion during a promotional event of the China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, capital city of southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sept. 16, 2023. [Photo by Yan Bin/China.org.cn]

A roundtable discussion delved into the creation of a China-ASEAN cross-border hub through the coordinated development of open industrial parks. Panelists from ASEAN multinational enterprises and government departments shared a vision for a vibrant and diverse Guangxi brought to life through industrial collaboration with ASEAN countries.

Mo Fuwen, deputy director-general of the Qinzhou Port Area Administrative Committee, highlighted the port's state-of-the-art infrastructure. He emphasized the 300,000-ton oil terminal and noted its distinction as China's first automated container terminal for sea-rail combined transport, fostering greater regional integrated development.

According to him, several projects focusing on the green chemical industry, offshore wind power equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, electronic information, and more have been established in the Qinzhou Port Area. This has promoted the development of a maritime industrial chain worth 500 billion yuan ($68.7 billion).

Senior executives from industrial businesses participate in a group discussion during a promotional event of the China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, capital city of southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sept. 16, 2023. [Photo by Yan Bin/China.org.cn]

Zhai Jingli, vice president of APP (China) at the Sinar Mas Group, shared her insights on how local brands can expand their global presence by enhancing the continuity and stability of their industrial and supply chains. She emphasized the importance of deep engagement by enterprises across ASEAN countries to elevate the value of industrial and supply chains and to bolster the consistency of high-quality development.

The event participants reaffirmed their commitment to boost investment in Guangxi and improve their industrial capacity and efficiency in the next stages.

This event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People's Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, attracted more than 300 participants, including representatives from relevant enterprises, businesses, and industries, as well as officials from national and local departments.

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