South China Expo promotes cooperation between China and South and Southeast Asian countries
The 7th China South Asia Expo, which lasted for 5 days, opened in Kunming, Yunnan on the 16th. This is the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic that the South China International Fair has been fully resumed offline.
The South China Expo has been permanently settled in Kunming since its first session in 2013. After years of development, the South China Expo has become an important platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, as well as an important window for local economic and trade cooperation with neighboring countries. With the help of the South China Expo platform, China will further strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Expand economic and trade exchanges, promote smooth trade
"Our jewelry and jade need exhibition and sales venues to open up the Chinese market. Can we meet this demand here?" "Our black tea wants to be sold in China. Is there any company willing to act as an agent for us?" A few days ago, a Sri Lankan business delegation visited the International Trade Enterprise Cluster Park in advance and repeatedly asked questions to Fang Jian, the person in charge of the International Trade Enterprise Cluster Park. When experiencing online live streaming, the rich ethnic style of the room decoration, brand new live rooms, and advanced equipment made the Sri Lankan business delegation staff give a thumbs up: "The South Expo is not only a stage for product display, but also a platform for us to make friends with Chinese foreign trade companies."
When the first South Asian Expo was held in 2013, the total trade volume between China and South Asian countries was less than 100 billion US dollars. In 2022, the total trade volume between China and South Asia had approached 200 billion US dollars, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3% over the past 10 years. China has become the largest trading partner of countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives for many consecutive years. The seafood, tea, nuts, and other products from South Asian countries are highly favored by Chinese consumers, and their exports to China continue to increase.
Not only foreign manufacturers, but also local governments and enterprises in China are actively participating in the exhibition. At this year's South China Expo, Lincang City, Yunnan Province will focus on promoting the new China Myanmar Indian Ocean channel. The city has achieved a logistics layout that takes 72 hours by road from Mengding Qingshuihe Port to Yangon Port in Myanmar, and 72 hours by railway to Chengdu; IFlytek Co., Ltd. showcases cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies such as the iFlytek Spark Cognitive Model, intelligent medical assistants, and digital employees at the Digital Economy Museum, showcasing the core capabilities of the big model and the latest application achievements in fields such as education, healthcare, office, and industry.
Improving infrastructure level and promoting interconnectivity
In January 2018, representatives from China and Sri Lanka jointly pressed the start button, and the Moleghakanda Dam was officially completed and delivered. This dam, constructed by China Water Resources and Hydropower 14th Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., is the largest water conservancy hub project in Sri Lanka.
Before the dam was built, there were power outages here every three to five days. Local villager Samuel lives downstream of the reservoir, and every year during the rainy season, his family's fields are flooded, seriously affecting crop yields. When the harvest is good, due to frequent power outages, he can only rely on donkeys to grind the surface. On the day of completion and delivery of the dam, Seymour was preparing to cut rice in the field. When he heard the announcement on the radio that stable power supply was about to be provided, he immediately went to buy an electric flour grinder.
"Stable power supply has made my business prosperous!" Seymour said happily. Now, he has bought a motorcycle and installed a phone and internet at home. This is a microcosm of China's investment driving the development of South Asia. According to the latest data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, as of July this year, China's cumulative investment in South Asia has reached nearly 15 billion US dollars, with a completed engineering contracting revenue exceeding 200 billion US dollars.
China and South Asian countries account for one-fifth of the world's total economic output, making it one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the world. Trade and investment are active, and the potential for cooperation is constantly being unleashed. Under the framework of the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project has been steadily advancing. Hambantota Port and Gwadar Port have driven the upgrading of their domestic industries. Cooperation projects such as the reconstruction and expansion of Nepal Pokhara International Airport and Maldives Male International Airport have achieved results. China is making tangible contributions to the development of South Asian countries and regional connectivity.
Deepening friendship among the people and promoting mutual understanding among the people
This year is the fifth year that Nepalese girl Kong Jie has come to Dali, Yunnan. Five years ago, she came to Dali University to study clinical medicine. In the past 5 years, although she has only returned to her hometown once, she has felt the warmth of home in China. At the student union of Dali University, Kong Jie became good friends with many Chinese students. From initially using Chinese mixed with English and even using body language for communication, to now being able to shop and travel fluently in Chinese, Kong Jie's life in Dali is very comfortable.
According to statistics, 46 universities in Yunnan have established cooperative relationships with educational institutions in 62 countries and regions, and established 11 international talent training bases. The maximum number of international students going to Yunnan exceeds 40000. Li Chenyang, Director of the Department of Commerce of Yunnan Province, introduced that Yunnan promotes people to people communication through scientific and cultural exchanges. Through organizing Yunnan International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and implementing the "Smart Yunnan" plan, Yunnan has widely attracted young scientific and technological talents from South Asian countries to start businesses in Yunnan; We have taken the lead in carrying out the work of international science and technology envoys nationwide, and have sent 31 international science and technology envoys to South Asian countries in 6 batches to provide scientific and technological services.
Whether facing natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, or global challenges such as the international financial crisis and the COVID-19, China and South Asian countries firmly stand together to help each other and overcome difficulties. Nowadays, Yunnan has established 11 bilateral cooperation mechanisms with South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, and the number of navigable cities with South Asian and Southeast Asian countries ranks first in the country.
Our reporter Yang Wenming and Li Maoying
