On 19 December 2017, the Forum on Business and Investment Opportunities in ASEAN, hosted by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and organized by the Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Liaoning Provincial Government, was successfully held in Shenyang, Liaoning province. More than 150 participants attended the forum consisting of representatives from the Embassies of Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, officials from relevant sectors of Liaoning provincial government and Shenyang municipal government, as well as local entrepreneurs.
Mr. Li Yuan, Director of Trade and Investment Division of ACC, delivered a speech. He said that as the Belt and Road Initiative has been pushed forward steadily, ASEAN-China economic cooperation becomes closer and closer. In year 2016, the two-way trade volume achieved USD 452.2 billion. China has remained ASEAN's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years while ASEAN has been China’s largest trading partner for six years in a row. In the first three quarters of this year, the bilateral trade volume reached USD 365.9 billion with a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. The cumulative two-way direct investment reached nearly USD 200 billion, and important progress has been made in major infrastructure cooperation projects. As an inter-governmental organization co-founded by ASEAN countries and China, ACC will continue to elevate ASEAN-China trade and investment cooperation to a new height as a bridge linking the two sides, and therefore bring tangible benefits to the people.
Mr. Yu Lei, Deputy Director General of Liaoning Provincial Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, briefed on the social and economic development of Liaonign province, and its relevant advantages. He hoped that through the Forum, Liaoning province and ASEAN countries could have a better understanding of each other, and therefore enhance their economic cooperation to realize a win-win result. Mr. See Chee Kong, Minister (Economic Affairs) of the Embassy of Malaysia, Mrs. Donlaporn Ajavavarakula, Minister Counsellor (Investment Promotion), and Ms. Nalintib Homvisetvongsa, Minister Counsellor (Commercial) of the Embassy of Thailand, Mr. Phoutsawanh KHOUNCHANTHA, Counsellor (Economic & Commercial) of Embassy of Lao P.D.R, Mrs. Thanda Khine, Commercial Counsellor of Embassy of Myanmar, Mr. Glenn G. PEÑARANDA, Commercial Counsellor of Embassy of the Philippines, Mr. Wong Yun Sheng Calvin, First Secretary of the Embassy of Singapore, Ms. Lee Kok Ting, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Brunei, and Mr. Evan Pujonggo, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Indonesia, made presentations on business environments and relevant economic policies of their own countries successively, and answered questions of the participating entrepreneurs.
All participants thanked ACC for organizing this activity, which provided Liaoning entrepreneurs with an authoritative channel to have a comprehensive and deep understanding on ASEAN. It is very helpful for the local entrepreneurs to explore ASEAN’s market, and therefore play an important function in promoting the practical cooperation between ASEAN and China’s local provinces.
Mr. Xue Heng, Vice Chairman of CPPCC Liaoning Provincial Committee, met the delegation during their stay in Shenyang. He briefed the delegation on Liaoning province and relevant development plans, and welcomed ASEAN countries to pay attention to Liaoning, enter Liaoning and strengthen cooperation with Liaoning. The delegation also visited Shenyang Area of China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and had an in-depth discussion with Vice Director Li Liming and other officials of the Administration of the zone.