On 18 September 2015, the 12th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) was opened in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with "Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Creating a New Blueprint for Maritime Cooperation" as its theme. H.E. Mr. Zhang Gaoli, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council of China, H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, the Country of Honor for the 12th CAEXPO, H.E. Mr. Sai Mauk Kham, Vice President of Myanmar, H.E. Mr. Somsava Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Executive Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Center (ACC), H.E. Mr. Lim Hong Hin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, as well as ministers of foreign affairs, trade and commerce, technology, education, environmental protection and health of China and ASEAN countries attended the Opening Ceremony.Ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, chairmen of chambers of commerce, renowned businessmen and celebrities from all walks of life were also among the attendees.
Before his keynote speech, Vice Premier H.E. Mr. Zhang Gaoli launched the China-ASEAN Information Harbor. In his speech, he noted that China and ASEAN were friendly neighbors and natural cooperation partners connected by both land and sea. Joint efforts were made by ASEAN and China to link the "One Belt One Road" strategy to the construction of ASEAN Community and developmental strategies of ASEAN countries. China was the largest trade partner of ASEAN while ASEAN was the second largest destination of import, third largest trade partner and fourth largest export market of China. The negotiation of upgrading China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) had made positive progress. This year marked the Year of ASEAN-China Maritime Cooperation. Both sides had designed over 40 projects, including the ASEAN-China Maritime Cooperation Center, ASEAN-China maritime emergency hotline, andASEAN-China Ocean College. These projects were being implemented orderly and effectively. Both sides jointly overcome challenges including the international financial crisis, transnational crimes, disasters, cross-border diseases and other non-traditional security challenges.
Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli put forward proposals to promote ASEAN-China relations; firstly, enhancing political mutual trust and strengthening strategic connection between China and ASEAN; secondly, deepening trade and economic cooperation to create the upgraded CAFTA; thirdly, promoting international cooperation on production capacity and realizing mutual benefit and win-win outcome at a higher level; fourthly, stepping up connectivity and establishing efficient and convenient infrastructurenetwork; fifthly, conducting maritime cooperation and establishing maritime cooperation partnership; sixthly, enhancing people-to-people exchanges and consolidate the foundation of good-neighborliness. Vice Premier Zhang specially noted the importance of supporting ACC to play a more important role in promoting ASEAN-China cooperation in culture, education, tourism and so on.
H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, said that Thailand was proud to be the Country of Honor of the 12th CAEXPO. The year 2015 was of special importance to Thailand-China relations and ASEAN, as this year marked the 40th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations and ASEAN would realize its Community. ASEAN and China enjoyed steady economic cooperation and were jointly building the upgraded CAFTA. China’s proposals to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and enhancing production capacity cooperation would benefit both ASEAN and China. Thailand appreciated China for its good cooperation during Thailand’s assumption of the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China relations. Thailand was ready to continue to play a constructive role in elevating ASEAN-China relations to a higher level.
H.E. Mr. Sai Mauk Kham, Vice President of Myanmar, thanked China for organizing the CAEXPO to promote multi-pronged ASEAN-China cooperation. CAFTA was the first FTA signed between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, which showed our dynamic cooperation. Myanmar welcomed China in supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and industrial development of ASEAN. The founding of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) would provide further impetus to ASEAN connectivity. ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership had been developed in parallel with the ASEAN Community building. The ASEAN-China relations contributed significantly to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
H.E. Mr. Somsava Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, delivered his speech in Chinese. He pointed out that the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road had outlined the blueprint of maritime cooperation. China had become the world’s second largest economy. It was believed that within the framework of "One Belt One Road", ASEAN-China cooperation in all sectors would make the region more prosperous and civilized. Laos and China enjoyed close cooperation. China was the largest investor of Laos. China contributed a lot to the economic development of Laos. The two countries were cooperating to send the first man-made satellite for Laos, and build a railway to connect the two countries and other ASEAN countries. This was of strategic importance to Laos, which was an inland country on the Indo-China Peninsula. Laos appreciated China’s assistance and support whole-heartedly.
H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Executive Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam, noted that Viet Nam was reforming its business environment to create good conditions for foreign investors. Viet Nam had participated in the CAEXPO for 11 consecutive years. This year, the number of Vietnamese attendees in the CAEXPO tops among ASEAN countries. Over 100 Vietnamese enterprises established more than 200 booths at the 12th CAEXPO. He hoped to see strengthened Viet Nam-China relations and ASEAN-China cooperation to benefit peoples in the region.
Leaders from China and ASEAN countries held the ceremony to jointly declare the opening of the 12th CAEXPO.
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