On 29 November 2016, the Opening Ceremony of Panzhihua-ASEAN International Trade City was held in Panzhihua City of Sichuan Province. Around 500 people attended the event, including H.E. Ms. Magdalene Teo, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China and Rotating Chair of ASEAN Committee in Beijing, H.E. Dato’ Zainuddin bin Yahya, Ambassador of Malaysia to China, H.E. Mr. Thit Linn Ohn, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to China, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Anh, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Mr. Gan Teng Kiat, Consul-General of Singapore in Chengdu, representatives from Cambodian and Indonesian Embassies in Beijing, Mr. Somchai Duenpen, Deputy Mayor of Sukhothai Province of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Mr. Zhao Weiping, Deputy Secretary-General of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr. Zhang Yan, Secretary of Panzhihua Municipal Party Committee, Mr. Li Jianqin, Deputy Secretary of Panzhihua Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Panzhihua Municipal Government, Mr. Shan Rong, Chairman of Panzhihua Municipal CPPCC, and other government officials from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, chambers of commerce of ASEAN countries and representatives of the business community. The opening ceremony was moderated by Mayor Li Jianqin.
Secretary Zhang Yan mentioned in the speech the development of Panzhihua-ASEAN International Trade City. He said that Panzhihua, as a crucial juncture of the ancient Silk Road and a distribution centre, is taking a major historic opportunity of building the Belt and Road. Panzhihua will seize the opportunity to foster a new cooperation framework that is all-round, multi-tiered and wide ranging for the opening to the south and will join hands with the business community of ASEAN countries to build the Panzhihua-ASEAN International Trade City into a new platform, engine, and bright spot for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides on a larger scale and at a higher level.
Deputy Secretary-General Zhao Weiping said that the friendly and cooperative relationship between Sichuan and ASEAN has a long history. The two sides enjoy close interactions. Panzhihua has 10 sister cities/provinces of ASEAN countries and more than 10 direct flights between the two sides. ASEAN has become the second largest trading partner of Sichuan and an important source of investment, project contracting market, and overseas investment destination of Sichuan. The inauguration of Panzhihua-ASEAN International Trade City marks a new stage of exchanges and cooperation between Panzhihua and ASEAN countries as well as a step forward for deeper cooperation between Sichuan and ASEAN countries. He expressed his confidence that with the concerted efforts of both sides, cooperation between Sichuan and ASEAN will embrace even broader space and a promising future.
H.E. Secretary-General Yang Xiuping said that the Belt and Road Initiative has brought Sichuan closer to the world with ever expanding and deepening friendly exchanges and practical cooperation with ASEAN countries. Panzhihua, a city full of vigour and vitality, is building itself into Sichuan’s gateway to the south. The Panzhihua - ASEAN International Trade City will provide a new and important platform for mutually beneficial cooperation between Panzhihua and ASEAN. Sub-national exchanges and cooperation is a vital part of ASEAN-China relations. ACC will continue to strengthen communication and contact with Panzhihua City and Sichuan Province in a joint effort to elevate ASEAN-China and ASEAN-Sichuan practical cooperation to a new level.
H.E. Ambassador Magdalene Teo expressed appreciation to the Sichuan and Panzhihua authorities, on behalf of ASEAN colleagues, for their kind invitation and thoughtful arrangements. She thanked ACC for its strong support and valued assistance in building the bridges for economic cooperation between local provinces and cities of China and ASEAN. As a major province with robust economy, large population, and tremendous resources, Sichuan provides a strategic link and hinterland for supporting the interconnected development between the “Belt and Road” and the “Yangtze River Economic Zone”. With the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community and the continuous development of the ASEAN-China FTA, both ASEAN and Sichuan would have more opportunities to increasing trade and investment flows. The ASEAN International Trade City of Panzhihua has opened another important new channel for ASEAN products entering into China, particularly in western China. She looked forward to the continued success of the Trade City in further enhancing trade and economic cooperation between ASEAN member states and China, especially Sichuan Province.
Ms. Vu Hai Yen, representative from Viet Nam addressed the ceremony on behalf of commercial corps of ASEAN countries. She hoped that all sides will take this event as an opportunity to further strengthen business ties and take solid steps to advance mutually beneficial cooperation between ASEAN countries and China.
The guests also cut the ribbons for the opening of Panzhihua-ASEAN International Trade City and toured around the ASEAN national pavilions. The Trade City is located in the West District of Panzhihua City and covers a total land area of 14.2 mu with 50,800 km2 construction area and a total investment of 410 million RMB. It is an integrated and multi-functional trade and distribution centre that provides distinct ASEAN products, culture, and cuisine. ACC is the co-organizer of this event.