The ACC Successfully Hosts the Roundtable Conference on Industrial Cooperation

On 23 September 2024, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) co-hosted the 2024 Roundtable Conference on ASEAN-China Industrial Cooperation and “Two Countries Twin Parks” Project Sharing in Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Vice Chairman Tan Pichuang of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Secretary Huang Jiang of the CPC Fangchenggang Municipal Committee, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC, Ambassador U Tin Maung Swe of Myanmar to China, Undersecretary of State Someth Somnea of Commerce of Cambodia, and Chairman Ballesteros of Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan of the Philippines attended and spoke at the opening ceremony. As an important event under the framework of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, the Conference attracted more than 600 representatives from government agencies, chambers of commerce and enterprises from both ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China for in-depth exchange of views on strengthening industrial cooperation.

Shi Zhongjun stated that the "Two Countries Twin Parks" initiative has emerged as an innovative approach and is enjoying a good momentum of growth. ASEAN and China should strengthen coordination to improve supporting policies and facilities for industrial parks, expand the scope of investment to nurture strategic emerging industries, and promote talent introduction and education to ensure the high-quality development of "Two Countries Twin Parks". All parties should join hands to truly make the "Two Countries Twin Parks" projects accelerators for strengthening supply and industrial chains between ASEAN and China.

Tan Pichuang stressed that all parties should uphold the concept of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, keep industrial, supply and value chains secure and smooth with institutional innovation, and promote the Chinese provinces including Guangxi to carry out industrial cooperation with AMS. Huang Jiang briefed the Conference on the geographic advantages and related supporting policies of Fangchenggang, calling on China and AMS to further promote facilitation of connectivity, industrial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

AMS dignitaries expressed high expectations for the prospects of ASEAN-China industrial cooperation. Tin Maung Swe looked forward to Myanmar leveraging its own advantages to participate in the global value chain through ASEAN-China economic cooperation and trade so as to push forward its business communities to compete on the international arena. Someth Somnea thanked the Conference for providing a useful platform for industrial cooperation and hoped to reach more consensus and reap in more fruits through this event. Ballestero spoke highly of the "Two Countries Twin Parks" as a conducive factor to ASEAN-China industrial cooperation, which is in line with the development paths taken by both sides and well positioned to stimulate more market potential.

The Conference also witnessed the execution of Promotion of ASEAN-China Industrial Cooperation, Experience Sharing of Industrial Parks, and panel discussions on low-altitude economy and clean energy, where the representatives engaged in heated sharing of ideas and experience.

In addition, a series of cooperation documents were signed at the Conference to strengthen ASEAN-China industrial and “Two Countries Twin Parks” cooperation.