Guangxi shining bright as bridge to ASEAN

Data from the China-ASEAN Panorama Think Tank showed that by February 2022, there were a total of 17 national opening-up platforms in Guangxi. The region is gradually building a multi-type, multi-level and open platform system with wide coverage.

Twenty years ago, long before the United States realized the important role ASEAN could play in regional affairs, China, as ASEAN's dialogue partner, became the first country to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and together with ASEAN, established a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.

"Over the years, the combined GDP of China and ASEAN as a share of the global total surged from 6.1 percent in 2002 to 21.5 percent last year, and our 2 billion-plus people are significantly better off. We have upheld win-win cooperation, made breakthroughs in connectivity, and steadily advanced regional economic integration and economic and trade cooperation," said Premier Li Qiang, as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit held in Nanning in September.

Trade and investment between the two sides have grown despite a weak global economy. The Ministry of Commerce said China-ASEAN trade grew 16.8 fold over the past 20 years, and they have been each other's largest trade partners for three years running. Two-way cumulative investment has surpassed $380 billion.

Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN, said: "ASEAN and China's economic performances remain strong despite the challenges and less favorable outlook for the global economy. Both sides have demonstrated remarkable resiliency in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, ASEAN's economy is expected to grow 4.6 percent, while China's economy is projected to grow 5 percent."

After the pilot free trade zones in the region were launched, other national-level opening-up platforms are also witnessing Guangxi's efforts in promoting regional cooperation with ASEAN member states. For example, established in 2013, China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in Qinzhou now has over 25,000 registered enterprises. The park has formed a cluster mainly consisting of bird nests, palm oil, biopharmaceuticals, electronic information and new energy industry-related products.

Within 11 years of development, the park has achieved a total regional GDP of over 22.94 billion yuan ($3.1 billion), with a compound annual growth rate of 30.7 percent. Total industrial output value has reached 56.39 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.3 percent. The accumulative total amount of two-way trade stands at 27.8 billion yuan, with actual use of foreign direct investment totaling $780 million.

As part of Guangxi's efforts in promoting China-ASEAN communication, the fifth ASEAN-China Media Week will be held from Oct 21 to 27. So far, a series of events have already been held. For example, the ASEAN-China Youth Hosts Camp (Season 3) recruits young hosts from cities related to the Belt and Road Initiative, to tell the story of development and win-win cooperation between China and ASEAN member states.

"By last year, ASEAN-China Media Week had held 20 series of activities, invited 10 ASEAN member states to participate — showcasing over 6,000 hours of programs on more than 360 platforms both domestically and internationally — and with 30 cooperation agreements signed. Its international influence has been increasing, with mounting results achieved," said Lu Zhengning, deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee of the media week.

"China and ASEAN enjoy complementary trade. Under the background of the US 'decoupling' from China, China may achieve regional integration through cooperation with other regional economic cooperation organizations, such as ASEAN. During the process, Guangxi, as an opening-up window, should grasp opportunities to boost trade and exchange ideas," said Wang Peng, a deputy research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences.