BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday. The theme of the summit is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," Hua said, adding that leaders of FOCAC's African members will attend the summit at the invitation of the forum. Representatives of relevant African regional organizations and international organizations will attend relevant forum events, she added. Source: Xinhua

As China and Africa reflect on their achievements since the inauguration of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or FOCAC, in 2000, experts emphasize the need for attention to further solidify bilateral relationship. During a virtual FOCAC dialogue hosted by the Ghana-based Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory on Tuesday, they highlighted the upcoming FOCAC summit in Beijing from Sept 4 to 6 as a good opportunity to enhance China-Africa relations. The meeting will be the fourth time it is held in the form of a summit, via which the two sides will celebrate friendship, explore cooperation and chart the course for the future, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday. David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg Confucius Institute, said African countries should pay attention to China's resolve articulated at the recent third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The country aims to drive its economy with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, biotech and green energy. The continent should take advantage of China's technological advancements, he said, suggesting that Africa could assemble electric vehicles locally to significantly benefit the continent. Monyae emphasized the need for increased collaboration between China and Africa in infrastructure development through the Belt and Road Initiative, as Africa moves forward with the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area. "Africa still faces a huge infrastructure finance deficit (of) over $100 billion," he said. "African leaders must negotiate infrastructure deals with China, focusing on huge infrastructure that enhances regional integration. Priority must be given to infrastructure that does not speak to only one country but one that speaks across countries within the economic regions." Stacey Links, an assistant professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands, said research should continue to be the cornerstone for shaping policies on China-Africa relations. Dispelling misinformation "A lot of misinformation around China-Africa relations is slowly changing because of the research that has been done," Links said. She said research will help in identifying gaps, challenges and risks and in recommending improvements so that FOCAC remains steadfast and strong. Going forward, she said China and Africa should consolidate their existing areas of cooperation such as green energy, agriculture and infrastructure development and ensure these initiatives are effectively implemented. Zhu Yaxiong, an associate professor at Zhejiang Normal University in China's Zhejiang province, said China-Africa cooperation under FOCAC should look at the continent's pressing needs such as green energy, agriculture and infrastructure development. Highlighting China's own development trajectory, Zhu said China is competent to assist African countries in advancing their economies. This includes modernizing agriculture and generating employment opportunities, he said. "China has successfully achieved food security for its population. If African countries can adopt scientific approaches to agriculture, they too can ensure food sufficiency for their people," he said.Source:China Daily Global

In a significant move to enhance digital collaboration, China and 26 African countries on Monday unveiled an action plan in Beijing to advance digital cooperation and development. This initiative aims to strengthen partnerships in digital policy, infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, digital transformation, security, and talent nurturing over the next three years. The action plan includes the implementation of 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and the training of at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field. Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, China's top industry regulator, emphasized the importance of digital development in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development. He said China highly values cooperation with African nations in the digital domain and will continue to adhere to the principles of consultation, contribution, and shared benefits. "We will actively engage in digital cooperation with African countries to build a shared future in digital development." According to him, China and African countries can make more efforts to leverage channels such as the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance dialogue and strategic policy alignment, sharing development experiences and charting a course for stable and long-term cooperation. Meanwhile, he called for efforts to co-build digital infrastructure. Under market-driven principles, more efforts can be made to promote the construction of accessible, affordable, and sustainable digital infrastructure. This includes practical cooperation in mobile communications, data centers, and other key areas, ensuring the benefits of digital development are shared widely among China and African nations, Jin added. Source: China Daily

While Western powers pursue a hostile policy based on a zero-sum-game mentality and a false sense of superiority, China is seen as a leader among equals In the just concluded third plenary session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, certain aspects pertaining to the role of China in the world were discussed. China's development has brought with it strategic opportunities, risks and challenges. On the one hand, China and the rest of the world are in a symbiotic relationship where one's gain is the other's gain. At the same time, given the openly hostile attitude of some of China's largest trade partners in the West, namely the United States and the European Union, China has no choice but to be a pivot for the emerging Global South while keeping open the option of stabilizing relations with the West based on equality and respect. To understand how China will respond to these challenges and opportunities, it is important to understand where China is in its long evolutionary journey toward modernization. China's economy accounted for over 17 percent of world GDP last year and is continuing to grow. China is the world's manufacturing superpower with an output of 35 percent of total global output. Chinese companies are the world leaders in almost all infrastructure engineering and construction machinery, in telecommunications, and soon in space-based navigation and aerospace and nuclear technology sectors. But this is just the temporary tip of the iceberg. The third plenary session's emphasis was on accelerating science and technology development, innovation, talent development in every aspect of China's economy and cultural advancement, which will supercharge China's future development. When advancements in artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics start permeating the whole industrial sector of China, productivity will increase by leaps and bounds. In addition, new scientific breakthroughs in areas that are under development, like fusion power, new materials, and biotechnology (including agriculture), will move the Chinese economy into a completely new platform of development. This will have an enormous impact on the world economy too. Another noteworthy takeaway from the third plenary session is that China will be embarking on refining the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. While the details of this decision are not public yet, we already know about the evolving role of the BRI as one of the greatest development initiatives in history. The first decade of the BRI witnessed an unprecedented global infrastructure development process connecting nations, regions and continents. However, the ultimate goal was not simply the promotion of trade, but lifting the world economy, especially in the Global South, to a higher level. A high-quality BRI means that Africa and other nations of the Global South will leverage their comparative advantages to achieve industrialization, eliminate poverty and raise the living standard for their people. China has responded by exporting capital, technology, and know-how to these nations. Therefore, we now see industrial parks built by Chinese companies and employing local workers popping up in different parts of Africa, such as in Egypt, Ethiopia and Uganda. Nations of the Global South are gradually abandoning the role assigned to them by the unipolar world order as exporters of cheap raw materials and importers of expensive finished goods. China is not just "offshoring" low-end production capacity to the Global South, but building the necessary infrastructure and developing the skilled labor necessary for these nations to reach industrialization. The China-backed industrial park in the Ugandan town of Mbale wouldn't have been possible without the construction of the Karuma hydropower plant and the 370 kilometer-long transmission lines, nor without training the local labor force. Let's take one example to understand how China's rise contributes to the rise of the Global South. In education, especially in natural sciences, engineering, and agricultural science, in 2018 Chinese universities surpassed both US and UK universities in the number of African students they enrolled. Recent data show that among students from regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia, China is now seen as a preferred education destination, not just due to financial incentives but because of the quality of education. The number of self-funded international students has almost doubled in just 10 years, standing at almost 430,000 in 2018, as opposed to the 63,000 students receiving scholarships. The economic rise of the Global South, with China leading the pack, is a factor to be reckoned with today. Not only BRICS, but many other nations in Asia, Africa and America are joining the ranks. What the nations of the Global South see in China is a peaceful and stable partner with a long-term vision of development. What is new is that China's rise, for example, becomes a tide that lifts all other boats, because China is sharing the fruits of its development with other nations. This is not only a show of compassion and respect, but a concrete translation of the scientific-economic principle of win-win cooperation, that China's prosperity depends on the prosperity of other nations. As reckoned at the beginning, China cannot prosper as an island in a sea of poverty and conflicts. China does not fear open competition, because its self-confidence is based on its hard work and clear vision of progress. No matter whether the Western powers continue to pursue a hostile policy based on a zero-sum-game mentality and a false sense of superiority, China will continue and accelerate its cooperation with the Global South that is increasingly gravitating toward it as a leader among equals. The author is vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden and a distinguished research fellow at the Guangdong Institute of International Strategies. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily. Source: China Daily

"The aim of Chinese-style modernization is that all people can lead a dignified and meaningful life based on common prosperity." LONDON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization rejects short-termism and stresses sustainability, a British expert has said recently. In an interview with Xinhua, Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant based in London, said that comprehensive and holistic are among the distinctive features of Chinese modernization. "It does not just concern itself with one or other aspect, nor does it see them in isolation from one another but rather as part of an integrated and interconnected whole." "This reflects the fact that Chinese modernization rejects short-termism, stresses sustainability," he said. On top of that, Chinese modernization is "scientific" and above all "people centered," Bennett said. "The aim of Chinese-style modernization is that all people can lead a dignified and meaningful life based on common prosperity," he added. The British expert also drew a comparison between Chinese and Western-style modernization approaches. In his view, Western countries have seen great economic development over a long period but the gap between the rich and the poor not only persists but even gets worse. Moreover, all sorts of social problems proliferate and eventually become a drag on economic development as well. On the other hand, Chinese modernization has taken a different path, which replaces this vicious circle with a virtuous circle and is therefore of great significance to the world. He also noted that in China's case, development and peace are not mutually exclusive; but rather, they are complementary and interdependent. "China long ago identified development and peace as two key issues of our times. And they are intimately connected. Without peace there can be no development," he stressed, adding that the tragic conflicts in various parts of the world illustrate this too clearly. "Likewise, successful development helps to eliminate at least one of the main root causes of conflict," he noted. Bennett views China's foreign policy of peace as an integral aspect of China's commitment to global stability and development. "China's foreign policy of peace is completely connected to and in harmony with its modernization drive at home as well as with its contributions to the modernization of other countries," he said. So that is why the China-proposed initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, form an integrated whole, which together lay the foundations to help realize a community with a shared future for mankind, said the expert. On China's significant role in the global economy, Bennett said, "China has been the main engine of global economic growth for decades." China's significant contributions as "a major external investor, a major recipient of foreign direct investment, a huge market with the world's largest middle-income group, and the major trading partner of the majority of the world's nations" make it a key player in the global economy, he said. Given the above-mentioned factors, he stressed that China's efforts in building a high-standard socialist market economy, supporting all-round innovation, and persisting in opening up can have far-reaching effects, which will "help bring stability to the global economy and generate opportunities for businesses and economies worldwide, while providing a valuable point of reference for other countries that wish to develop their economies and realize modernization." Source: Xinhua

SHANGHAI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 150 international businesses have signed up to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai for a seventh time, having attended all previous CIIEs, organizers said on Wednesday. To date, the total contracted exhibition area has exceeded 360,000 square meters, Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, said at a news briefing. He noted that this year will include a special new materials zone for the first time, aiming to create an international exchange platform for the promotion of innovation and development in the new materials industry. To showcase key elements of future travel, this year's automotive zone will include exhibitors in areas such as autonomous driving, the low-altitude economy and new types of energy storage for vehicles, Sun said. More than 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the 2024 CIIE's national comprehensive exhibition, including Norway, Benin, Burundi and UNICEF, which will be participating for the first time, he noted. The seventh CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10. Source: Xinhua

From October 17-18, 2023, the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF III)was convened in Beijing, China. Lu Jianzhong, chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC), was invited to attend the grand event, at which he has reviewed the outstanding achievements and envisioned the bright future of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)with participants from around the world. Chairman Lu Jianzhong meets SRCIC members at the thematic forum on People-to-People Bonds:Mario Rendulic, president of Chinese Southeast European Business Association (left)andDavid Saganelidze, CEO of Georgia's state-run Partnership Fund (right) Amity between people holds the key to the sound relations between states.People-to-people exchangeis an important part of the Belt and Road construction, and also the social foundation for promoting the joint construction of it.Since its establishment in 2015, SRCIC has actively engaged in cultural exchanges and carried out a series of practical and efficient projects to promote people-to-people exchanges. The Silk Road Sunshine student grant set up by SRCIC has funded more than 50 outstanding students from Russia, Lebanon, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Jordan and other countries along the Belt and Road to study in Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Chang'an University, Shaanxi Normal University, and Northwestern University.SRCIC has been taking solid actions to promote educational cooperation with the Belt and Road countries, cultivate "ambassadors" for cultural exchanges, and advance people-to-people exchanges. In the face of new historical opportunities, SRCIC will work with its members and partners from all over the world to expand cooperation areas, innovatecooperation methods, and continued to consolidate the mass base of the BRI, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Notes The BRF III is themed on “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity”. It was attended by representatives from over 150 countries. Three high-level forums were held under the topics of Connectivity in an Open World Economy, Green Silk Road for Harmony with Nature, and Digital Economy as a New Source of Growth, respectively. Six thematic forums with focuses on Trade Connectivity, Maritime Cooperation, Clean Silk Road, Think Tank Exchanges, People-to-People Bonds, and Subnational Cooperation were respectively convened. Among which, the thematic forum on People-to-People Bonds was hosted by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and attended by about 300 representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations, and relevant domestic departments, experts and scholars. The foreign participants speak highly of President Xi Jinping’sforesight as to have proposed the BRI and of the fruitful achievements made during the last 10 years that has benefited participating countries. They are willing to make greater contributions to the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road with high-level cultural exchanges. Source: Partial content excerpted from media reports such as Xinhua News Agency

On January 16of 2023, 69 deputies from Shaanxi Province were elected to the 14th National People's Congress(NPC) in accordance with the law at the first session of the 14th Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress. Lu Jianzhong, Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce and Chairman of Tang West Market Group, was re-electedas a deputy to the NPC since his last term beginning in January 2018. Before that, Chairman Luwerea member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)for three terms. Since his election as a deputy to the NPC, Luhas been earnestly performinghis duties. He has made suggestions on hot issues such as the innovative development of cultural industry, encouraging and supporting the private economy, and high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. He put forward the Proposal on the Enactment of the Law on Promoting the Digital Economy.A total of 24 proposals were suggestedin areas such as giving full play to the private sector to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the high-quality development of the private economy, whichprovide detailed reference for relevant ministries and commissions onformulatingpolicies and regulations. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated into relevant planning or policy-relateddocuments.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Türkiye’s southern border at 4:17 a.m. local time (0917 GMT+8) on February 6. The earthquake was the most devastating one in Türkiye since 1999, wreaking havoc on at least 10 provinces. The death toll climbed to 2,316 in Türkiye and 711 in Syria, and the number of injured rose to 13,293 in Türkiye and 1,431 in Syria as of February 6 local time, according to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and Syrian Ministry of Health. Left: damaged buildings in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province, Türkiye on February 6. Right: rescue efforts at a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye on February 6. (Source: Xinhua News) On February 6, Chinese president Xi Jinping sent messages of condolences to the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The message reads as follows: “I was distressed to learn of the powerful earthquake which has caused heavy casualties and property losses. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to express our deep condolences to the victims and the injured, and their families. We are confident that your people will recover from the disaster and rebuild homes in no time under the leadership of your administration.” SRCIC, with its 218 organizational members from 82 countries, has several Turkish members. Upon learning the severe earthquake in Türkiye, SRCIC chairman Mr. Lu Jianzhong and the Secretariat sent condolences to Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, Mr. Adnan Akfirat, Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association, and the Çalık Group. The Chinese government swiftly launched emergency humanitarian assistance mechanism and provided 40 million RMB of emergency assistance to Türkiye at the first batch, including sending out urban rescue teams and medical teams, and providing relief materials. China also coordinated the delivery of relief supplies to Syria and a speedy implementation of ongoing food aid projects. Meanwhile, Chinese people from all walks of life extended a helping hand to Türkiye and Syria. The Red Cross Society of China donated 200,000 US dollars to both countries respectively. Chinese people in the disaster-hit areas are raising donations of tents, blankets and other relief supplies. It is learned that China's Rescue Team of Ramunion, a civilian rescue organization, has arrived at the disaster area this morning to carry out rescue. Political leaders of many countries expressed their sympathy and support to Türkiye after learning the massive casualties caused by the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake. We hereby call on all SRCIC members and the international community to provide assistance and support within their capacity to the affected people in Türkiye and Syria. Source: Xinhua News

On November 8th, as a prelude to the 2022 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, the WIC Member Representative Symposium was held on the venue in ZhejiangProvince. This is the first symposium since the establishment of WIC International Organization, aiming to enhance exchange and cooperation between the organization and its members, and among the membersthemselves. Zhuang Rongwen, chairman of the WIC Organization Committee,attended and addressed the symposium. The eventwasmoderated by WIC Secretary GeneralRen Xianliang. More than 30 member representatives from international organizations, leading global Internet companies, industry authorities and associations listedthe symposium. Lu Jianzhong, chairman of the Board of Directors of Tang West Market Group and chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce,discussed with other representatives about the opportunities and challenges brought by the development of global internet and the prospects of WIC. Zhuangpointed out that as a common platform for the global Internet family, the WIC originates in China but belongs to the world. He hoped that members would contribute their suggestions to the Conference, participate initsconstructionand support its development. Members need to build consensus on ideas, focus on new challenges and problems in cyberspace, and align the efforts of international community to resolve differences.Thedeepeningintegration of digital economy and real economy, and coordination of global industrial and supply chainsare the focuses in developing the digital economy. Members shouldboostscientific and technological innovation, strengthen international collaborationand global cooperation, and exchangevisions and applications of Internet-related technology. Members should deepen cultural exchanges, promote cooperation in internet media, and strengthen the construction of internet culture. Members shouldalsofocus on leading global cooperation, pursuingcommon prosperity for all mankind, deepeningcommon interests and promoting mutual benefit in the Internet sector. LuJianzhongbriefed thethree platformsbuilt by Tang West Market Group, namely the Datang Chain, the Hainan International Cultural and Art Trading Center,and the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). The platforms are part of the contributing efforts tothedigital cultural industry,the cultural cause,and the construction of Digital China.He suggestedbuildinga multi-chain, cross-chain and internationally-oriented blockchain infrastructure for cultural and art transactions and a cultural digital Silk Road, which can be based on theDatang Chain, a national blockchain anda pilot project of copyright innovativeapplication. The international resources and industrial advantages of SRCICcould also contribute to this cause. The proposal outlines a cultural digital platform for artworks trading and exchange among various countries. The platform integrates functions including ownership validation, authentication, pricing, sequencing and confirming. Together, they resolve the three pain points of the industry - appraisal, valuation and standardization of artworks. This endeavor will boost international cultural and art exchanges and transactions, and enhance mutual learning among civilizations along the Belt and Road. The WIC International Organizationwas established on July 12 this year. It is an international, industrial and non-profit social organization set upvoluntarily by enterprises, organizations, institutions and individuals committed to facilitatingthe global Internetdevelopment. It was registered in China and headquartered in Beijing. Source: World Internet ConferenceWeChat Official Account

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is delighted to welcome Maria Fernanda Garza as its new Chair. After serving as ICC First Vice-Chair for the past two years, the small business owner from Mexico succeeds Ajay Banga as ICC Chair, making her the first woman to hold this position. Maria Fernanda Garza has been elected ICC Chair for a period of two years following a meeting of the ICC World Council, held yesterday in Mexico City. The ICC World Council additionally elected Philippe Varin, Chair of ICC France, as ICC First Vice-Chair, and Nayla Comair Obeid and Harsh Pati Singhania as ICC Vice-Chairs. Ms Garza is CEO of Orestia, as well as SRCIC Vice Chair, a small manufacturing home improvement solutions company based in Mexico, with exports to the USMCA region, Latin-America and Asia. A lifelong advocate for small and medium businesses in her home country and around the world, she participated 19 years in the Mexican Employers' Association (COPARMEX) and served as Vice-President for four years. In her new role, Ms Garza will continue to drive ICC's mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Commenting on her election, Maria Fernanda Garza said: "Given the magnitude of the downside risks facing the global economy, it's absolutely vital for us to have a united business voice committed to openness, fair competition and the enablement of peace through international trade.” "In a period that has been characterized by weak international cooperation, I believe that ICC has a vital role to play in harnessing the expertise, innovation and networks of the private sector to secure an effective response to major global challenges. Simply put, our mission to enable peace and prosperity through trade has never been more vital — and, indeed, more urgent." Ms Garza's interest in improving the business environment made her a prominent business leader at a young age. She was the ICC Regional Coordinator for the Americas and a member of the governing body of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. An ICC Executive Board member since 2014, Ms Garza became the first woman to be elected as ICC First Vice-Chair in 2020. A strong advocate of business ethics and corporate governance standards, Ms Garza was Chair of ICC Mexico until June 2020 and is a former member of the International Affairs Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour and former member of the National Advisory Committee of ACLAN. She is also a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Alliance AliaRSE and was a member of the Corporate Responsibility Network of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: "In her new capacity as Chair, Maria Fernanda's experience and insights as CEO of a successful small business will further reinforce the work we do and help ensure that ICC reaches the whole of the international business community. She has already contributed greatly to ICC's work at the global, regional and national levels, and we are very happy that she will remain a strong champion for ICC and challenge us to push ahead to promote more inclusive growth and prosperity." Effective 14 June 2022 for a two-year term, Ms Garza succeeds Ajay Banga in the role. We take this opportunity to thank Mr Banga for his outstanding leadership of our organisation during the past two years, a particularly challenging and uncertain time for businesses worldwide. Mr Banga will continue to serve on the ICC Executive Board as Honorary Chair. The ICC World Council also elected six new members of the ICC Executive Board for three-year terms, strengthening gender, ethnic and geographical diversity in ICC's leadership. Holger Bingmann, Managing Partner, Bingmann Pflüger International GmbH (Germany) Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, AppsTech and Chair of Afrilabs (Cameroon) Marjorie Yang, Chairwoman, Esquel Group (Hong Kong) Lama Al Sulaiman, Shareholder and a Board Member of Rolaco Holdings, KSA, and LUX (Saudi Arabia) Nicolas Uribe, Chair, Bogota Chamber (Colombia) Justin D’Agostino, CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong) Fredrik Cappelen, Chair at Dometic and Transcom (Sweden), and Candace Johnson, Vice-Chair at NorthStar Earth and Space (Luxembourg/United States) are starting second terms as members of the ICC Executive Board. The ICC World Council additionally ratifiedthe election of Nicolas Uribe, President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ICC Colombia, as Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation. His term begins on 1 July 2022. Source: iccwbo.org

SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an and his delegation On April 27, 2022, SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, Loh Kai Yong and Raymond Raman, President and Secretary General of the Xi'an Branch of Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MAYCHAM CHINA). SG Bian first extended welcome to Consul General Lum Wan Liang and his delegation. She pointed out that SRCIC has been committed to building a cooperation platform between governments and enterprises. Despite the suspension of offline activities due to the COVID pandemic, the long-standing cooperation and friendship between SRCIC and its members and partners continues. It is expected that in the post pandemic period, SRCIC and Malaysian Consulate can resume cooperation and share new opportunities for investment and development by co-sponsoring business promotion seminars and other activities. SG Diane Bian and Consul General Lum Wan Liang Although it was only his first visit to SRCIC, Consul General Lum said he had an understanding of it through MAYCHAM CHINA and affirmed SRCIC's achievements since its establishment. Subsequently, he introduced the Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, and said that today's meeting is only a beginning to the many more opportunities to discuss cooperation in depth in the future. The meeting was also attended by Emma Wei, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section I, Alina Cao, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section II, and Valentina Wang, Deputy Director of of SRCIC Membership Center Section II.

BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday. The theme of the summit is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," Hua said, adding that leaders of FOCAC's African members will attend the summit at the invitation of the forum. Representatives of relevant African regional organizations and international organizations will attend relevant forum events, she added. Source: Xinhua

As China and Africa reflect on their achievements since the inauguration of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or FOCAC, in 2000, experts emphasize the need for attention to further solidify bilateral relationship. During a virtual FOCAC dialogue hosted by the Ghana-based Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory on Tuesday, they highlighted the upcoming FOCAC summit in Beijing from Sept 4 to 6 as a good opportunity to enhance China-Africa relations. The meeting will be the fourth time it is held in the form of a summit, via which the two sides will celebrate friendship, explore cooperation and chart the course for the future, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday. David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg Confucius Institute, said African countries should pay attention to China's resolve articulated at the recent third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The country aims to drive its economy with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, biotech and green energy. The continent should take advantage of China's technological advancements, he said, suggesting that Africa could assemble electric vehicles locally to significantly benefit the continent. Monyae emphasized the need for increased collaboration between China and Africa in infrastructure development through the Belt and Road Initiative, as Africa moves forward with the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area. "Africa still faces a huge infrastructure finance deficit (of) over $100 billion," he said. "African leaders must negotiate infrastructure deals with China, focusing on huge infrastructure that enhances regional integration. Priority must be given to infrastructure that does not speak to only one country but one that speaks across countries within the economic regions." Stacey Links, an assistant professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands, said research should continue to be the cornerstone for shaping policies on China-Africa relations. Dispelling misinformation "A lot of misinformation around China-Africa relations is slowly changing because of the research that has been done," Links said. She said research will help in identifying gaps, challenges and risks and in recommending improvements so that FOCAC remains steadfast and strong. Going forward, she said China and Africa should consolidate their existing areas of cooperation such as green energy, agriculture and infrastructure development and ensure these initiatives are effectively implemented. Zhu Yaxiong, an associate professor at Zhejiang Normal University in China's Zhejiang province, said China-Africa cooperation under FOCAC should look at the continent's pressing needs such as green energy, agriculture and infrastructure development. Highlighting China's own development trajectory, Zhu said China is competent to assist African countries in advancing their economies. This includes modernizing agriculture and generating employment opportunities, he said. "China has successfully achieved food security for its population. If African countries can adopt scientific approaches to agriculture, they too can ensure food sufficiency for their people," he said.Source:China Daily Global

In a significant move to enhance digital collaboration, China and 26 African countries on Monday unveiled an action plan in Beijing to advance digital cooperation and development. This initiative aims to strengthen partnerships in digital policy, infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, digital transformation, security, and talent nurturing over the next three years. The action plan includes the implementation of 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and the training of at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field. Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, China's top industry regulator, emphasized the importance of digital development in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development. He said China highly values cooperation with African nations in the digital domain and will continue to adhere to the principles of consultation, contribution, and shared benefits. "We will actively engage in digital cooperation with African countries to build a shared future in digital development." According to him, China and African countries can make more efforts to leverage channels such as the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance dialogue and strategic policy alignment, sharing development experiences and charting a course for stable and long-term cooperation. Meanwhile, he called for efforts to co-build digital infrastructure. Under market-driven principles, more efforts can be made to promote the construction of accessible, affordable, and sustainable digital infrastructure. This includes practical cooperation in mobile communications, data centers, and other key areas, ensuring the benefits of digital development are shared widely among China and African nations, Jin added. Source: China Daily

While Western powers pursue a hostile policy based on a zero-sum-game mentality and a false sense of superiority, China is seen as a leader among equals In the just concluded third plenary session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, certain aspects pertaining to the role of China in the world were discussed. China's development has brought with it strategic opportunities, risks and challenges. On the one hand, China and the rest of the world are in a symbiotic relationship where one's gain is the other's gain. At the same time, given the openly hostile attitude of some of China's largest trade partners in the West, namely the United States and the European Union, China has no choice but to be a pivot for the emerging Global South while keeping open the option of stabilizing relations with the West based on equality and respect. To understand how China will respond to these challenges and opportunities, it is important to understand where China is in its long evolutionary journey toward modernization. China's economy accounted for over 17 percent of world GDP last year and is continuing to grow. China is the world's manufacturing superpower with an output of 35 percent of total global output. Chinese companies are the world leaders in almost all infrastructure engineering and construction machinery, in telecommunications, and soon in space-based navigation and aerospace and nuclear technology sectors. But this is just the temporary tip of the iceberg. The third plenary session's emphasis was on accelerating science and technology development, innovation, talent development in every aspect of China's economy and cultural advancement, which will supercharge China's future development. When advancements in artificial intelligence, digitalization and robotics start permeating the whole industrial sector of China, productivity will increase by leaps and bounds. In addition, new scientific breakthroughs in areas that are under development, like fusion power, new materials, and biotechnology (including agriculture), will move the Chinese economy into a completely new platform of development. This will have an enormous impact on the world economy too. Another noteworthy takeaway from the third plenary session is that China will be embarking on refining the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. While the details of this decision are not public yet, we already know about the evolving role of the BRI as one of the greatest development initiatives in history. The first decade of the BRI witnessed an unprecedented global infrastructure development process connecting nations, regions and continents. However, the ultimate goal was not simply the promotion of trade, but lifting the world economy, especially in the Global South, to a higher level. A high-quality BRI means that Africa and other nations of the Global South will leverage their comparative advantages to achieve industrialization, eliminate poverty and raise the living standard for their people. China has responded by exporting capital, technology, and know-how to these nations. Therefore, we now see industrial parks built by Chinese companies and employing local workers popping up in different parts of Africa, such as in Egypt, Ethiopia and Uganda. Nations of the Global South are gradually abandoning the role assigned to them by the unipolar world order as exporters of cheap raw materials and importers of expensive finished goods. China is not just "offshoring" low-end production capacity to the Global South, but building the necessary infrastructure and developing the skilled labor necessary for these nations to reach industrialization. The China-backed industrial park in the Ugandan town of Mbale wouldn't have been possible without the construction of the Karuma hydropower plant and the 370 kilometer-long transmission lines, nor without training the local labor force. Let's take one example to understand how China's rise contributes to the rise of the Global South. In education, especially in natural sciences, engineering, and agricultural science, in 2018 Chinese universities surpassed both US and UK universities in the number of African students they enrolled. Recent data show that among students from regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia, China is now seen as a preferred education destination, not just due to financial incentives but because of the quality of education. The number of self-funded international students has almost doubled in just 10 years, standing at almost 430,000 in 2018, as opposed to the 63,000 students receiving scholarships. The economic rise of the Global South, with China leading the pack, is a factor to be reckoned with today. Not only BRICS, but many other nations in Asia, Africa and America are joining the ranks. What the nations of the Global South see in China is a peaceful and stable partner with a long-term vision of development. What is new is that China's rise, for example, becomes a tide that lifts all other boats, because China is sharing the fruits of its development with other nations. This is not only a show of compassion and respect, but a concrete translation of the scientific-economic principle of win-win cooperation, that China's prosperity depends on the prosperity of other nations. As reckoned at the beginning, China cannot prosper as an island in a sea of poverty and conflicts. China does not fear open competition, because its self-confidence is based on its hard work and clear vision of progress. No matter whether the Western powers continue to pursue a hostile policy based on a zero-sum-game mentality and a false sense of superiority, China will continue and accelerate its cooperation with the Global South that is increasingly gravitating toward it as a leader among equals. The author is vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden and a distinguished research fellow at the Guangdong Institute of International Strategies. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily. Source: China Daily

"The aim of Chinese-style modernization is that all people can lead a dignified and meaningful life based on common prosperity." LONDON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization rejects short-termism and stresses sustainability, a British expert has said recently. In an interview with Xinhua, Keith Bennett, an international relations consultant based in London, said that comprehensive and holistic are among the distinctive features of Chinese modernization. "It does not just concern itself with one or other aspect, nor does it see them in isolation from one another but rather as part of an integrated and interconnected whole." "This reflects the fact that Chinese modernization rejects short-termism, stresses sustainability," he said. On top of that, Chinese modernization is "scientific" and above all "people centered," Bennett said. "The aim of Chinese-style modernization is that all people can lead a dignified and meaningful life based on common prosperity," he added. The British expert also drew a comparison between Chinese and Western-style modernization approaches. In his view, Western countries have seen great economic development over a long period but the gap between the rich and the poor not only persists but even gets worse. Moreover, all sorts of social problems proliferate and eventually become a drag on economic development as well. On the other hand, Chinese modernization has taken a different path, which replaces this vicious circle with a virtuous circle and is therefore of great significance to the world. He also noted that in China's case, development and peace are not mutually exclusive; but rather, they are complementary and interdependent. "China long ago identified development and peace as two key issues of our times. And they are intimately connected. Without peace there can be no development," he stressed, adding that the tragic conflicts in various parts of the world illustrate this too clearly. "Likewise, successful development helps to eliminate at least one of the main root causes of conflict," he noted. Bennett views China's foreign policy of peace as an integral aspect of China's commitment to global stability and development. "China's foreign policy of peace is completely connected to and in harmony with its modernization drive at home as well as with its contributions to the modernization of other countries," he said. So that is why the China-proposed initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, form an integrated whole, which together lay the foundations to help realize a community with a shared future for mankind, said the expert. On China's significant role in the global economy, Bennett said, "China has been the main engine of global economic growth for decades." China's significant contributions as "a major external investor, a major recipient of foreign direct investment, a huge market with the world's largest middle-income group, and the major trading partner of the majority of the world's nations" make it a key player in the global economy, he said. Given the above-mentioned factors, he stressed that China's efforts in building a high-standard socialist market economy, supporting all-round innovation, and persisting in opening up can have far-reaching effects, which will "help bring stability to the global economy and generate opportunities for businesses and economies worldwide, while providing a valuable point of reference for other countries that wish to develop their economies and realize modernization." Source: Xinhua

SHANGHAI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 150 international businesses have signed up to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai for a seventh time, having attended all previous CIIEs, organizers said on Wednesday. To date, the total contracted exhibition area has exceeded 360,000 square meters, Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, said at a news briefing. He noted that this year will include a special new materials zone for the first time, aiming to create an international exchange platform for the promotion of innovation and development in the new materials industry. To showcase key elements of future travel, this year's automotive zone will include exhibitors in areas such as autonomous driving, the low-altitude economy and new types of energy storage for vehicles, Sun said. More than 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the 2024 CIIE's national comprehensive exhibition, including Norway, Benin, Burundi and UNICEF, which will be participating for the first time, he noted. The seventh CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10. Source: Xinhua

A very successful webinar of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden was held today, April 29 th , 2024. The webinar was entitled “Europeans for the Belt and Road Initiative”. It brought together speakers, including leaders, entrepreneurs, and scholars, from Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden. The Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, Stephen Brawer, who moderated the event, emphasized from the beginning, that this was the first of many webinars that will continue promoting European cooperation with China and the BRI. The opening speech was delivered by His Excellency Cui Aimin, China’s Ambassador to Sweden. He pointed out that China and Europe have no geopolitical reason for conflict or unhealthy competition. He made very clear that the purpose of de-risking and other obstacles to free and cooperative trade benefits neither Europe nor China. Rather, the commitment to genuine cooperation through Belt and Road understanding will only promote the interests of all parties. All the speakers, representing their respective nations, showed in concise, but detailed presentations why and how their countries continue to grow and benefit from cooperation with China and the BRI. In addition to Ambassador Cui, the speakers included Mr. Erik Solheim, VP, of the Green Belt and Road Coalition, Mr. George Floras, President of the Belt and Road Associates in Greece, Mr. Jan Menke Hopma, CEO of Innovasian Bridge, from the Netherlands, Mr. Tomaz Amon, CEO from Bioanim, from Slovenia, and Mr. Hussein Askary, Vice Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden. Many of the participants and listeners, upward of 50 persons, took part in a very active and lively question-and-answer discussion with Ambassador Cui and the other speakers. In conclusion, all the participants agreed that this was a very successful beginning to uniting European scholars, leaders, and entrepreneurs. In coming webinars, BRIX will work to bring European participants and supporters together with scholars, business leaders, and experts from China. It is in this spirit we can build a powerful international movement for peace and cooperation that is “a community for a shared future for mankind.” Source:www.brixsweden.org

China's economic growth for the first quarter of 2024 has exceeded market expectations. By pursuing high-quality development, and nurturing new quality productive forces, the country has delivered an impressive performance. Let's take a look at views of experts from home and abroad to China's economic performance and onwards. Daryl Guppy China's GDP has grown at a faster rate of 5.3 percent than the 4.6 percent expected by many Western observers. This growth comes as no surprise following the resurgence of discretionary spending over the recent festival holidays. This was an early indication of economic strength. This discretionary spending is a useful measure of the health and expectations of the Chinese economy. Increased consumer spending during the Qingming Festival was a litmus test for sustained confidence in Chinese economic growth. The festival continued the momentum of discretionary spending seen in the Chinese New Year Festival. This suggests that the Spring Festival consumer spending increase was early evidence of a return in confidence in economic growth, so the high growth rate in Q1 is not a surprise. The increase in Q1 GDP is evidence of sustainable growth in the economy and economic activity. It reflects increased productivity created in the digital and green economies. This is where the future of economic growth is found. Wang Dan The Q1 growth beat market expectations by a wide margin, and manufacturing and infrastructure were the main engines. Housing market consolidation is also deepening. In the second half of the year, economic data may improve further, primarily driven by the government. After all, we are still in an economic cycle that tends to rise from the bottom, making government projects very important. Many local government projects actually gain momentum from mid-year onwards. As these projects unfold, economic data for the second half of the year is expected to be better. Exports are expected to continue rising this year. So far this year, we have observed that companies engaged in exports, especially those targeting Europe and America, have performed quite well. Wei Jianguo From the economic data of the first quarter, three major highlights can be seen in the Chinese economy. Firstly, the effect of high-quality economic development has been achieved. Traditional industries are upgrading, emerging industries are growing steadily and future industrial cultivation is also strengthening. Secondly, the innovative effects of the institutional mechanisms have been highlighted, promoting reforms in rules, regulations, management and standards. Thirdly, China's high-level opening-up measures have had a positive impact on our country's business environment, particularly in attracting foreign investment. Zhang Yansheng In the first quarter of this year, our country's volume of goods trade import and export broke through 10 trillion yuan ($1.38 trillion) for the first time in the same period of history, with a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. Among them, exports were 5.74 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.9 percent; imports were 4.43 trillion yuan, an increase of 5 percent. The growth rate of imports and exports reached a new high in six quarters. Zhang Yansheng believes that the marginal improvement in external demand in the first quarter, coupled with the overall better-than-expected performance of global shipping, logistics and trade chains, reflects that China's foreign trade has started well, with strong resilience and vitality in imports and exports. Source: China Daily

Editor's note:Daryl Guppy, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an international financial technical analysis expert. He has provided weekly Shanghai Index analyses for mainland Chinese media for more than a decade. Guppy appears regularly on CNBC Asia and is known as "The Chart Man." He is a former national board member of the Australia China Business Council. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN. The 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning are two of the most significant events in the ASEAN region. It is more than just a trade expo with the usual fascinating array of goods and products on display. These are important, but it's the dialogues and meetings that deliver the full significance of CAEXPO because they provide a strategic guide to regional policy development. In 2014, I was invited to speak in the first Australian partner participation in CAEXPO. I got to know the outline of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and how this meshed with what is now the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was the first time the concept had been explained fully to an international audience and the impact was significant. It set the parameters for business engagement and development in the following decade and more. This year's CAEXPO has continued that tradition of policy commitments with the opening ceremony speech by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He emphasized the significance of building a closer China-ASEAN community. These remarks followed the recent ASEAN meeting in Jakarta where the issue of ASEAN centrality in regional decision making was a major point of discussion. Li acknowledged ASEAN centrality in the process of forging smooth China-ASEAN relationships. This is another important indication of China's desire to work within existing regional trade structures of which CAEXPO is a practical example. This is a direct counter to the approach taken by the United States which seeks to undermine ASEAN centrality in regional decision making by turning organizations like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) into a geopolitical platform. Echoing decade-old remarks, Li placed ASEAN countries at the intersection of the "Belt and Road" on both land and sea. They reflected the historical connections of China trade from the ancient land-based Tea Horse Road and the maritime trade centers in the Straits of Malacca. His remarks provided a clear indication of the vitality and growth of the BRI. This came as a shock to Western observers who have been led to believe that the BRI is a spent force. Nothing could be further from the truth as the multi-faceted BRI continues to expand its engagement with ASEAN in many key areas. The BRI is not just about physical infrastructure. It includes capital infrastructure investment to connect Chinese and ASEAN financial markets. It includes trade and soft infrastructure co-ordination to make cross border trade and settlement more efficient. The establishment of common digital standards across ASEAN is an essential foundation for progress in these areas. Consistent with the objectives of the BRI and ASEAN, the expo has a strong emphasis on the digital economy and green economy. The theme of the expo particularly supports businesses operating in emerging sectors of new information technology and new energy. CAEXPO shows that China is committed to expanding cooperation in culture, tourism, training, and youth exchange because these foster mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the region. The success of the expo in terms of the number and variety of participants, shows that China is a growing economy determined to continue its engagement with the region. On one level, CAEXPO provides an important platform for exhibitors to highlight products and services available within the region and which form the foundation of trade relationships.Many are the traditional products of trade, but they also include the breakthroughs seen with the Huawei Mate60 built on China developed chip technology. One feature overlooked in the colourful displays of ethnic dress and custom is that CAEXPO is held in Nanning, the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This is just one of five Autonomous regions in China, a factor rarely recognized in Western media coverage which paints China as a monolithic state. These regions illustrate the cooperative pathway that is an essential part of prosperity in the ASEAN region. On another level, CAEXPO provides the political and strategic framework that underpins the broad improvement of trade relationships, peace and prosperity within the region. Premier Li's remarks confirmed China's commitment to regional prosperity and cooperation within the ASEAN framework. Source: CGTN

The picture shows Chinese Premier Li Qiang (center) taking a group photo with Amb. Francis Chua (fifth from left, front row) and well-known ASEAN entrepreneurs. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry News:Ambassador Francis Chua, Permanent Honorary Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Founding Chairman of the Philippine International Chamber of Commerce and Founding Chairman of the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce as well as the SRCIC Vice Chairman, at the invitation of the host, Ministry of Commerce of China, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Government of Guangxi Autonomous Region and Guangxi Council for the Promotion of International Trade, on September 15, went to Nanning, Guangxi Province to attend the 20th China-Asean Expo and China-Asean Business and Investment Summit, and as the only representative guest of the Philippines, met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and took photos with well-known ASEAN entrepreneurs, and attended the State banquet. The theme of this East Expo is "Building a home with harmony and Coexistence, Sharing the Future with Destiny - Promoting high-quality Development of the Belt and Road and Building an Economic Growth Center", during which the side meeting on the theme of "Institutional Opening: At "New Pattern of Regional Economic Development" will be held the first time. Representatives from ASEAN countries will have in-depth discussions and exchanges on the steady expansion of institutional openness of rules, regulations, management and standards in the region. At the same time, activities such as the "Year of Investing in China - Entering Guangxi" special event and the "Face to Face with the Business Counsellors of Chinese Missions in 10 ASEAN countries" exchange meeting will also be held to showcase China's investment opportunities, build a platform for multinational companies to understand China and invest in China, and convey to the world China's confidence and determination to unswervingly promote a high level of opening-up. This East Expo will focus on China-Asean Free Trade Area 3.0, RCEP, the "Belt and Road" and other multilateral and bilateral cooperation mechanisms, continue to hold the third RCEP Summit Forum and other institutional activities, issued the "China-Asean Free Trade Area 3.0 Business Opportunities Outlook" blue book, guide regional enterprises to better grasp the new economic and trade rules, better share the RCEP high-quality implementation of the new dividends. Writer/Picture:Pol Ongkinglok Linguister/Editor:Stephanie Tan

Qinghai's Achievements in Practicing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,cohosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee, was held in Xining,Qinghai Provinceon September12. The theme of the event was Chinese Modernization: Harmony Between Humanity and Nature.Over 150 political party leaders or representatives from nearly 30 countries attended the event in person and online. Mr. Mohammad Omer,the SRCIC member andDirector of the China-Africa Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization,was invited to the event. Mr. Omer expressed his appreciation and thanks to the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee for co-hosting this important event. He underlined how the world can learn from Qinghai's experience of Chinese Modernization in the New Era. Andpointed out that this eventrelates well to the Global Development Initiative proposed by H.E. President Xi and where China-Africa Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization signed its Declaration. In conclusion, Mr. Omer said that Qinghai's success on achieving harmony between mankind and nature contributes to the realization of the Green Silk Road and Building Jointly an Ecological Community of Shared Future for Mankind.

By Adnan Akfirat,Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association Can there be a port at the farthest distance from the sea? I went to the Horgos Free Economic Zone, known as the world's largest dry port, which is crossed by both road and rail and will soon have air service. I have seen it, I am writing about it! AT THE INACCESSIBILITY POLE OF EURASIA The Horgos Free Trade Economic (FEZ), a joint creation of both countries on the China-Kazakhstan border, lies at the foot of what is known as the Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility. The Pole of Inaccessibility is a geographical term. It refers to the geographical region on a continent farthest from the seas. This is the ingenuity of the Asian Century: Eurasia's Pole of Inaccessibility is now the crossroads of transcontinental transportation and manufacturing. Horgos FEZ, in the north of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on the China-Kazakhstan border, is at the very heart of Asia. And it serves as the heart of trade not only to Asia but also to three continents, including Europe and Africa. Asia and Europe's products pass Horgos by road and rail to reach their destinations. Products arriving by sea are also transported by land and rail to the ends of Asia via Horgos. Cargo containers that arrive at Horgos FEZ in 5 days by rail from the port city of Lianyungang in eastern China can reach the city of Duisburg in northwestern Germany in 10 days. This connection route, which is 3 times faster than sea transportation and half the cost of air transportation, offers an alternative to investors in terms of time and cost. Goods purchased from Horgos FEZ can be freely shipped to CIS countries without any additional customs inspection or tax. HERODOTUS' LEGEND COMES TRUE! Horgos is a historical gateway. It has long been called the Dzungarian Gate (or Altai Pass). It is the only pass through the 4,800-kilometer mountain wall stretching from Manchuria to Afghanistan. It is a convenient natural gateway for riders on horseback between the western Eurasian steppes and the lands further east. It has also been noted for its fierce and almost constant winds. In his "Histories", Herodotus quotes travelers' reports of a country in the northeast where men with the bodies of lions and the wings of eagles guarded the gold and the North Wind came out of a mountain cave. Hyperborea, a term meaning beyond the point where Boreas, the god of the North Wind, breathed his breath, is the name of a mythical land in Greek Mythology beyond the North Wind, where the sun never fails to shine, the trees are always full of fruit and the meadows are always green. Some scholars argue that there is a connection between the Dzungarian Gate and the home of Boreas, the creator of the North Wind in Greek mythology. Because this gate is at the foot of the Altai Mountains, named after the Golden Mountain. Horgos have replaced the house of Boreas! BREAKING NEW GROUND IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The Horgos FEZ is intended to be a game-changing catalyst for international cooperation and trade. Officially called the International Center for Border Cooperation (ICBC), the five-square-kilometer Free Economic Zone is located in the middle of the Saryesik-Atyrau desert, 670 kilometers west of Urumqi and 380 kilometers east of Almaty. Horgos, in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, means "the place where camel caravans pass" in Mongolian and "the place where wealth accumulates" in Kazakh. The new city of Horgos on the Chinese side, the size of New York City, is like an oasis in the desert. On the Kazakh side, the developing Horgos-East Gate Special Economic Zone is recovering rapidly after the pandemic. Many of the China-Europe rail lines pass through here. Horgos is also the crossroads of the Western Europe-Western China Highway from the Yellow Sea to the Baltic. It is a successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive economic cooperation-trade network of interconnected land and sea ports, special economic zones, new cities, and free trade zones in which 134 countries in Eurasia, Africa, and South America are actively participating. Horgos is positioned as a gateway for international trade linking east and west and a bridgehead for the opening of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the west. It is the world's first cross-border international free economic zone and China's first special economic zone "inside the country but outside the jurisdiction of customs". Moreover, with the facilities provided by the Chinese central government and the strong interest of the Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Horgos Local Government offers very attractive investment incentives for setting up manufacturing facilities. The incentives offered by both China and Kazakhstan for Horgos FEZ to become a production base deserve the attention of investors. THE BRIGHT ROAD OF KAZAKHSTAN When it first opened in December 2011, the Khorgos FEZ was heralded as a cornerstone of China-Kazakhstan bilateral relations and a prime example of Kazakhstan's broader "Nurlu Yol" plan to diversify its economy beyond energy exports. Presented in promotional materials as "a huge new city of the future where two civilizations intersect," Horgos FEZ is envisioned as a multicultural economic crossroads where Central Asian Turks, Russians, and Chinese can come together to buy each other's goods, eat each other's cuisine and consume each other's entertainment and culture. A new city is being built on the Kazakhstan side of the Horgos FEZ. Nurkent is expected to be home to 100,000 people. The first zone is 90% complete. It was announced that the entire development and construction of Nurkent City Phase One will be completed in September 2023. It is planned to be fully completed by 2035. Nurkent is seen as a vehicle to help resettle workers at the Khorgos-East Gate, the largest transportation and logistics hub in the Belt and Road Initiative. These workers will be retrained as a permanent source of labor for the Horgos FEZ, which is already a major trade hub between Kazakhstan and China and is developing into a favored manufacturing zone. HUGE WORK IN LESS TIME The Chinese side of Horgos consists of five giant four-story wholesale markets. They are located side by side in blocks, with wide sidewalks and roads between them. No personal vehicles are allowed within the area, and public golf carts and vans transport customers from the shopping complex to the shopping complex. New wholesale markets continue to be added, while unfinished construction projects take up much of the land. Like Chinese wholesale markets, the inside of the malls is made up of hundreds of small shops and booths rented by individual vendors. Most of the buildings, floors, and corridors are organized by product type. Vendors call out to you as you walk through aisles filled with huge waist-high piles of goods. But it is important to remember that this is not just a new free trade zone, but an entirely new economy being created. ICBC is just one part of a multi-pronged development initiative to build an entirely new trade, manufacturing, and logistics zone where none existed before. The adjacent Horgos special economic zone is estimated to attract 30,000 workers and their families, while the city of Horgos is being built for 200,000 people. Such large-scale development anywhere takes decades, not just years. China did it in 10 years. TUCEM OPENS TURKISH BRANDS TO CHINA FROM HORGOS At the invitation of Mr. Ma Fuming, President of Horgos International Chamber of Commerce, we as the Turkish-Chinese Business Matching Center delegation Mr, Serdar Kulu, Director of TUCEM Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and I spent four full days in Horgos between April 26-30. Mr. Rutkay Çakırkaya, the owner of Balizza, one of Turkey's leading women's clothing brands, joined us coming from through Kazakhstan. We were received by Mr. Hao Jianmin, the CCP Secretary of Horgos. The Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, and Han officials of the Horgos Local Government mobilized with sincere interest to provide the best service. Here is our good news: On August 12-14, we are organizing a special exhibition and fashion show with Turkish clothing brands in Horgos International Free Economic Zone. Hao Jianmin, Secretary of Horgos CPC, has committed to bringing a delegation of 1000 buyers, including all major garment buyers from the eastern region of China. Turkey is organizing the first international event of Horgos FEZ in a magnificent venue built in the shape of a Chinese Palace. We will continue to report good news from Horgos!