The 11th China (Sichuan)-South Asia and Southeast Asia Business Leaders Summit Successfully Held

On 15 September 2021, co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the People's Government of Sichuan Province, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 11th China (Sichuan)-South Asia and Southeast Asia Business Leaders Summit was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

Mr. Deng Xiaogang, Deputy Secretary of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee, Mr. Ke Liangdong, Vice Chairman of CCPIT, attended the opening ceremony and jointly launched the China-South Asia Business Council Sichuan Liaison Office. Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ACC, and Mr. Moin ul Haque, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to China, the guest of honor, delivered video speeches. More than 300 representatives from 22 embassies and consulates, business associations, trade and investment promotion institutions from 15 South Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as representatives of relevant industries in Sichuan Province attended the event online and offline.

Mr. Deng Xiaogang pointed out that the major strategic deployment of Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City Economic Circle and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have created rare opportunities for the coordinated development of economic regions, and Sichuan's position in China's development and opening-up has become more prominent. He hoped that all parties concerned would actively pay attention to and support Sichuan's opening-up and cooperation to achieve mutual benefit, win-win results and high-quality development.

Mr. Chen Dehai said that ACC will continue to play the bridging role and join hands with all partners to make unremitting efforts in promoting ASEAN-China practical cooperation and the wellbeing of the people of all countries in the region.

With the theme of "Opportunities, Connection and Cooperation", the event consisted of the Leaders Summit, the Annual Congress of China-Pakistan Business Council, Opportunities and Investment Environment Promotion Conference, South and Southeast Asia Commodities Exhibition, photo exhibition and other activities. It aimed to jointly discuss the signing of RCEP, the channel building and integrated development under the new opportunity of Chengdu-Chongqing Twin City Economic Circle, so as to better promote the opening-up and cooperation to the South Asia and Southeast Asia.