On 18 September 2019, the China (Sichuan)-South & Southeast Asia Business Leaders Summit was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The summit was co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the People's Government of Sichuan Province and Chambers of Commerce and Industry of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Mr. Li Yunze, Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr. Chen Jian'an, Vice President of CCPIT, Mr. Raul L. Lambino, Secretary of President Office of the Philippines, Mr. Ruwan Edirisinghe, President of SAARC, and about 300 business leaders and representatives from international organizations and media from China and South & Southeast Asian countries attended the summit. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.
Vice Governor Li Yunze briefed on the all-round opening up of Sichuan Province and its friendly exchanges and cooperation with South and Southeast Asian countries. He said that at present, substantial progress has been made in promoting high quality BRI international cooperation. Prior to the summit, nine roundtables on economic and trade cooperation between China (Sichuan) and South Asia were held. This year, Southeast Asian countries were invited to participate in the event for the first time to jointly build the platform for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and production capacity between Inland China and South &Southeast Asian countries, and provide the regional business community with more opportunities for development under the framework ofBRI international cooperation.
Secretary Lambino recalled with deep affection the history of friendly exchanges between the Philippines and China. He said that the bilateral relations are developing steadily and have bright prospects. The Philippines is willing to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with China, South & Southeast Asian countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to build a closer community with a shared future.
Vice President Chen Jian’an pointed out that China is a major trading partner and an important source of foreign investment for South and Southeast Asian countries. Enterprises of both sides have strong desire to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, which has broad space. Business circles of all countries in the region need to work together to deepen cooperation in such fields as production capacity, infrastructure, energy, culture, tourism and agriculture, further expand trade, strengthen investment cooperation, promote policy coordination and fully play the role of bilateral and multilateral business cooperation mechanisms.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai said that ASEAN and China are important partners for each other. Innovation-driven, mutually beneficial and win-win development has opened up new fields for ASEAN-China all-round cooperation. The year 2020 has been designated as the year for ASEAN-China digital economy cooperation.
The two sides will grasp the opportunities brought by the development of digital, internet and smart technologies, expand cooperation in e-commerce, scientific and technological innovation, 5G network, smart city and other fields and jointly explore new growth momentum and development path.
Mr. Edirisinghe emphasized that the BRI and the projects already carried out under it are of great significance to the connectivity in South Asia and benefit all countries in the region. He expressed hope to expand cooperation with China to launch more transportation and infrastructure projects in South Asian countries for regional prosperity and development.
Representatives from chambers of commerce of South & Southeast Asian countries, including the Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, delivered keynote speeches on promoting business environment, improving infrastructure, deepening connectivity and enhancing cultural exchanges.
A series of activities including the Promotion Meeting on Economic Development Opportunities and Investment Environment in South & Southeast Asian Countries, and the China (Sichuan) - South & Southeast Asia Chambers of Commerce Roundtable were also held during the Summit.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai also participated in Vice Governor Li Yunze's meeting with business leaders from South &Southeast Asian countries, and witnessed the unveiling of Sichuan commodity exhibition and sales centres in Pakistan and Malaysia as well as the signing of relevant cooperation and exchange agreements.