A forum between local chambers of commerce and their ASEAN
counterparts opened in Nanning on Friday, aiming to boost bilateral
trade.
More than 600 representatives from Chinese and ASEAN chambers of
commerce and government officials attended the opening ceremony in
Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Strengthening cooperation between chambers of commerce in
Chinese and ASEAN cities will boost non-governmental diplomacy,
economic and trade exchanges, said Song Beishan, vice-chairman of
the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, on Friday.
Nanning Mayor Chen Xiangqun said the city has become a regional
trade hub - part of the China-ASEAN free trade area, Pan-Beibu Bay
and Pan-Pearl River Delta.
Chen called on the chambers of commerce to set up a regional
cooperation platform. He also urged improvement of urban and
government services and investment channels.
He said Nanning would launch key infrastructure projects to
provide more convenient and efficient transport links with ASEAN
nations.
Zhang Chongren, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference Guangxi committee, said the China-ASEAN
strategic partnership and free trade area had linked Guangxi with
ASEAN countries and brought the region unprecedented development
opportunities.
(China Daily December 29, 2007)
