Together Towards a New Future

2024 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum

Grand Opening

The vibrant bay of Qianhai witnessed the grand opening of the 2024 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum at the Qianhai International Convention Center in Shenzhen on November 13. Themed "Technology Leadership, Industrial Win-Win," the forum featured an opening ceremony, five sub-forums on digital transformation, cross-border finance, cross-border e-commerce, international chamber presidents, and think tank cooperation, as well as enterprise exchange exhibitions and industrial cooperation matchmaking sessions. It was accompanied by visits to Shenzhen and the ASEAN Food Culture Week at Qianhai, igniting a new wave of economic and trade cooperation.

The forum was jointly organized by the China-ASEAN Center and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, with the Qianhai Authority of Shenzhen, Shenzhen University, and the Guangdong High-tech Industry Business Association as co-organizers. Distinguished guests from ASEAN countries and international organizations, including Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Center, Lin Zongying, State Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Li Weiguang, Technical Advisor to the Cambodian Cabinet Office, Han Cancai, Ambassador of Thailand to China, Rui Loro, Ambassador of East Timor to China, Li Shangyong, Minister-Counselor and Consul General of the Embassy of the Philippines in China, Roger Loh, Consul General of Singapore in Guangzhou, Sophan Sophorn, Consul General of Laos in Guangzhou, Bendega, Consul General of Indonesia in Guangzhou, Suraya Mohamed, Consul General of Malaysia in Guangzhou, Nguyen Viet Hung, Consul General of Vietnam in Guangzhou, Chang Peiyao, Acting Consul General of Thailand in Guangzhou, Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the China-ASEAN Industrial Cooperation and Development Promotion Association and former Malaysian Minister of Transport, as well as Chen Junjie, Counselor and Second-Level Inspector of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qin Hong, Counselor of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Zhong Weiyun, Inspector of the RDI Center of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Shourui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone, and Secretary of the Party Committee of Bao'an District, Luo Huanghao, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Liang Ke, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone, and over 1,000 representatives from government departments, chambers of commerce, think tanks, and entrepreneurs from China and ASEAN countries attended the opening ceremony and related activities.

Using the Forum as a Medium

Deepening Economic Cooperation between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN

In the leaders' speeches, Luo Huanghao, Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, delivered a welcoming speech. He noted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN share geographical proximity, cultural ties, mutual support, and win-win cooperation, making each other's largest trading partners. Openness fosters prosperity, and cooperation leads to a win-win future. This year marks a crucial year for the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Shenzhen will continue to uphold an open and inclusive attitude, regarding strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two sides as a crucial breakthrough to elevate cooperation between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN to a higher level. Shenzhen will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN regions in scientific and technological innovation, economic and trade investment, cultural tourism, and talent cultivation, vigorously expand cooperation in emerging industries such as the digital economy, new energy vehicles, and smart cities, and jointly contribute to building a higher-quality China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and developing a more friendly China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.

Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Center, reviewed the cooperation achievements between China and ASEAN countries in economics, culture, education, and other fields over the past year and introduced the valuable experience gained from China-ASEAN cooperation. Looking ahead, he expressed his intention to explore more development models in consolidating platforms, focusing on industries, and expanding cooperation to continuously deepen and solidify economic cooperation between the two sides.

Lin Zongying, State Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, said in his speech that cooperation between China and ASEAN countries holds broad prospects and profound significance, expressing his hope that both sides can work together to create an even brighter future.

In the keynote speeches, government leaders from Thailand, East Timor, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other countries shared their countries' experiences and practices in economic and social development, as well as their expectations and visions for deepening cooperation with China. Representatives from ASEAN countries conducted in-depth analyses of their countries' economic development status, cooperation opportunities, and challenges. They all expressed their willingness to deepen cooperation with the Greater Bay Area to jointly build a closer economic partnership. These speeches not only showcased the unique charm of ASEAN countries but also provided valuable insights and inspiration for the participants.

Releasing Major Achievements and Annual Reports

Signing 15 Projects Worth Nearly RMB 30 Billion On-site

During the achievements announcement, the organizers released the major achievements of the 2023 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum and the 2023 Annual Report on Economic and Trade Cooperation between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN. The release of these achievements and reports not only showcased the fruitful cooperation between the two sides over the past year but also provided strong data support and policy guidance for future cooperation.

According to reports, the 2023 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum was successfully held in Qianhai, Shenzhen, from July 29 to 30, 2023. It witnessed the establishment ceremonies of the Greater Bay Area-ASEAN International Chamber of Commerce Alliance and the China-ASEAN Think Tank Cooperation Partnership, as well as the release of the "Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation Initiative." Multiple companies from the Bay Area reached investment and trade cooperation agreements with ASEAN, with a total trade contract value of RMB 12.1 billion.

The forum was included in the Qianhai Plan approved by the State Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will establish the Greater Bay Area-ASEAN International Chamber of Commerce Alliance and the China-ASEAN Think Tank Cooperation Partnership, which were included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' major achievements in advancing the construction of the "Five Homes" initiative in 2023. All parties involved in the forum actively promoted the implementation of trade and investment projects agreed upon during the forum. To date, they have facilitated over RMB 30 billion in trade and nearly RMB 5 billion in investment.

Currently, the Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce Alliance is operating well, with participating parties having organized over 50 inspections, exhibitions, and forums. Cooperation among all parties is orderly, the pace of platform construction is accelerating, and major model innovations are continuously emerging, gradually forming the model of "R&D in the Bay Area, production in ASEAN, and global sales."

The enthusiasm for mutual investment and trade between the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN is growing. During the subsequent signing ceremony for the 2024 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic and Trade Cooperation Projects, representatives from enterprises and chambers of commerce from the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN completed the signing of 15 projects with a total value of RMB 29.99 billion, indicating closer cooperation and broader exchanges between the two sides in the future.

Launching the Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Study Abroad Support Program

Funding 8 ASEAN Students Annually to Pursue Graduate Studies in Shenzhen, Injecting New Vitality into Educational Exchanges

The opening ceremony also witnessed the launch of the 2024 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Study Abroad Support Program. Initiated by Qianhai, the program supports the Qianhai Institute of International Affairs in establishing the "Qianhai International Education Foundation" to further enhance Qianhai's role in promoting international exchanges and attracting more outstanding overseas talents to study in Shenzhen. Starting next year, the program will fund at least eight ASEAN students annually to pursue master's degrees in Shenzhen. The implementation of this program will inject new vitality into educational exchanges and cooperation between the two sides and cultivate more talents with an international perspective and cross-cultural communication skills.

Zheng Yongnian, Dean of the Qianhai Institute of International Affairs and Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, delivered a keynote speech. With his unique perspective and profound insights, he analyzed the opportunities and challenges of cooperation between China and ASEAN countries under the background of globalization, providing valuable insights and inspiration for the participants. He believed that the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries should work together to address global challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Sub-forums and ASEAN Food Culture Week Followed

Providing Participants with a Platform for Exchange and Diverse Experiences

The enterprise exchange exhibition, which accompanied the entire event, attracted the attention of many participants. It gathered well-known companies from the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries, showcasing their latest achievements in technological innovation, the digital economy, green energy, and other fields, providing participants with a high-end platform for exchanges and cooperation.

Participants expressed that the forum not only provided them with a platform to gain a deeper understanding of the current status and prospects of cooperation between China and ASEAN countries but also presented a rare opportunity to expand their international cooperation horizons and seek partnerships.

With the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony, the 2024 Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Qianhai) Forum officially kicked off. Subsequent sub-forums will focus on various topics such as the digital economy, cross-border finance, and international trade. Among them, the China-ASEAN Think Tank Cooperation Forum will gather top experts and scholars to exchange ideas on the theoretical connotations and decision-making foundations of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. The Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Digital Transformation Forum will focus on the current wave of digitalization, exploring how to promote industrial upgrading and innovation in the digital era in the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries. The Greater Bay Area-ASEAN Cross-border E-commerce Special Forum will provide a vast platform for practitioners in the cross-border e-commerce field to exchange and cooperate, jointly tapping into the huge potential of cross-border e-commerce.

In addition, during the forum, participants will visit the Qianhai Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen, its outstanding parks and leading enterprises, embark on an ASEAN Food Culture Week journey, and visit the China Hi-Tech Fair, providing participants with diverse exchange experiences.