2007泛北部湾经济合作论坛新闻发布辞（英文）

　　2007年7月26日，“2007泛北部湾经济合作论坛”在广西南宁召开，论坛以共建中国-东盟新增长极为宗旨，共同推进泛北部湾经济合作，构建中国-东盟“一轴两翼”区域合作新格局。新浪财经图文直播本次会议。以下为7月25日泛北部湾经济合作论坛新闻发布会上广西壮族自治区副主席、泛北部湾经济合作论坛组委会副主任、秘书长陈武的英文发布致词。

　　2007 PBG Economic Cooperation Forum

　　Press Conference Presentation

　　Address by Mr. Chenwu

　　Vice Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,

　　Deputy Director and Secretary General of PBG Forum

　　Organizing Committee

　　July 25th, 2007

　　Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the press:

　　Good afternoon.

　　The eye-catching 2007 PBG Economic Cooperation Forum is about to commence tomorrow. First of all, on behalf of the cosponsors, organizers, cooperative partners and organizing committee of the Forum, I’d like to extend our warmest welcome and express our heart-felt gratitude to our dear friends from both foreign and domestic medias.

　　Now may I take this opportunity to brief you on the preparation work of the 2007 PBG Forum and I will be very happy to answer your questions later.

　　Forum Background

　　As you all know, ever since the construction of CAFTA in 2001, business cooperation between ASEAN and China has ushered in a new era. In 2005, bilateral trade volume exceeded 100 billion USD; in 2006 it reached 160.8 billion USD. By 2010, CAFTA is expected to have been completed. It will be the biggest Free Trade Area in terms of its population, with 1.8 billion consumers, combined GDP of around 2 trillion USD and 1.2 trillion USD trade volume. With progress of CAFTA, business exchanges between ASEAN and China are becoming increasingly frequent. PBG economic cooperation which will cover Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei, etc is revealing enormous potential and business opportunities. In 2006, trade volume between 6 PBG countries and China amounted to 130.7 billion USD, up by 22.6%, contributing to 81.3% of the total trade volume between ASEAN and China. A huge market is emerging. PBG cooperation will help east coastal development region in China and Beibu Gulf area which enjoys the utmost potential to network with East Growth Area of ASEAN. It will bring about new development opportunities and help to realize the goal of common prosperity and win-win results of ASEAN and China.

　　Because of this, we put forward a proposal to carry out PBG cooperation and construct a new pattern of regional business cooperation, so called “one axis and two wings”.

　　We are delighted to note that for the last year this strategy has not only become the focal point of press coverage, but also a heated topic for experts and entrepreneurs to research. Moreover, governments of relevant countries have taken it into consideration when they are making development policies. Programs investment, trade, transportation and logistics, etc have been launched. The strategy is becoming ever more influential and attractive.

　　Chinese Government attaches great importance to PBC economic cooperation. Ever since last year, Chinese President Hu Jintao twice made important instructions on PBG opening up and development and he believed PBG boasts a bright future. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proposed to “actively explore the feasibility of PBG economic cooperation” on the third CABIS held in Nanning China and the tenth ASEAN-China Leaders Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. CPPCC identified BGEZ development and construction and PBG cooperation as the topic for this year’s political consultation, and recently held a political consultation meeting with State Council. State leaders of PBG countries clearly expressed their willingness to support PBG economic cooperation and have reached consensus in relevant areas and specific projects. Many projects have already been implemented. It shows that PBG cooperation is not only beneficial for China but also ASEAN. It is in the interest of both parties to realize common prosperity, common development and strengthened linkages.

　　In order to further boost exchanges and cooperation between governments, academic communities, business communities and financial communities of PBC countries and China, actively explore and facilitate the construction of a sub-regional cooperation mechanism under the framework of ASEAN-China Cooperation and set up a new pattern of ASEAN-China sub-regional cooperation, so called “one axis and two wings”, we will need a platform for two-way exchanges and communications. Under this context, we have decided to work with relevant Chinese ministries and international organizations to hold this PBG Forum.

　　Forum Structure

　　This forum has received great support from many ministries of Chinese Government, financial institutions and research institutions home and abroad.

　　11 Cosponsors: Leading Group Office for Western Region Development of State Council, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Bank of China, China National Tourism Administration, Development Research Center of State Council, People’s Daily, China Development Bank, Asian Development Bank and People’s Government of Guangxi

　　8 Organizers: Beibu Gulf Economic zone Planning, Development and Construction Commission, China Development Institute, China Development Bank, Guangxi Subsidiary Bank, Guangxi Development and Reform Commission, Guangxi Department of Finance, Department of Communications, Department of Commerce and Guangxi Tourism Administration

　　6 Cooperative Partners: East Asian Institute of National University of Singapore, Malaysia Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Vietnam Central Institute for Economic Management, Development Academy of the Philippines, Brunei Economic Development Board, Center for Strategic and International Study of Indonesia

　　Major Content

　　The theme of this forum is co-build a new ASEAN-China growth pole, new platform, new opportunity and new development. Research and discussions will be conducted in following three fields: first, PBG economic cooperation and construction of CAFTA; second, PBG cooperation mechanism, industrial development and financial support; third, PBG cooperation in transportation, ports, logistics and tourism. More than 40 delegates, including government officials, experts, entrepreneurs and financiers will address the forum or deliver keynote speeches.

　　H.E. Mr. Jiang Zhenghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC, leaders from relevant ministries of central government, Mr. Green Wood, Vice President of ADB, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Secretariat, two Nobel Prize Laureates in Economics as well as leaders of CPC Guangxi Committee and Guangxi People’s Government will address the Forum or deliver keynote speeches. As the research fruit of preliminary stage PBG cooperation, a Study Report on PBG Economic Cooperation will be released at the closing ceremony of the Forum by PBG feasibility study group. Forum’s cosponsors will jointly release a Chairman’s statement of the forum.

　　Preparation Work

　　At present, all the preparation work has been completed. Up to know, more than 230 delegates have applied attend the Forum, including 90 foreign delegates and over 140 Chinese delegates. In addition, we will have around 110 observers and over 200 foreign and Chinese reporters. Thus, our Forum is expected to accommodate in all 550 people.

　　Forum participants include government officials, experts from Chinese and foreign research institutions, representatives of well-known enterprises and financial organizations home and abroad, delegates of international organizations, as well as Chinese diplomatic missions to ASEAN and ASEAN diplomats in China, which fully demonstrates that this forum is an international, pragmatic and high-profile event participated by delegates from all walks of life.

　　Generally speaking, this forum is featured by “6 increases, 3 innovations and high enthusiasm”.

　　Six increases:

　　First, there is an increase in forum cosponsors. Apart from last year’s cosponsors, Leading Group Office for Western Region Development, Ministry of Finance, People’s Bank of China, Development Research Center of State Council, People’s Daily and Asian Development Bank, we have four more ministries, namely Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Commerce, China National Tourism Administration and China Development Bank. Therefore we have 11 forum cosponsors this time. Meanwhile, leaders of Development Research Center of State Council, China Development Bank and Leading Group Office for Western Region Development will serve as directors or deputy directors of the Forum Organizing Committee. It has not only strengthened the authoritative nature of the Forum, but also shows the support from government ministries for PBG economic cooperation.

　　Second, there is an increase of VIP guests who will attend the Forum. More high profile guests will be present at the event, including 9 foreign ministerial level leaders, 2 Nobel Prize laureates in economics, 7 representatives of international organizations, 22 diplomats and 17 domestic ministerial level leaders.

　　Third, there is an increase of brand-name enterprises. Senior management staff of 19 international businesses and over 20 domestic famous enterprises, such as Maersk Group, IMC, Chiatai Group of Thailand, JP Morgan Chase& Co, Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT), China Electronics Cooperation, China Southern Power Grid, Wuhan Iron and Steel Group, Shenzhen Yantian Port Holdings Co., Ltd and New Hope Group will attend the Forum.

　　Fourth, there is an increase of financial institutions. A number of financial organizations, such as People’s Bank of China (PBC), China Development Bank (CDB), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Construction Bank of China (CBC), Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV)，Vietnam Development Bank，Central Bank of Indonesia (CBI)，National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) will have their representatives at the Forum.

　　Fifth, there is an increase of news agencies. During the forum, we will receive over 200 Chinese and Foreign reporters of mainstream medias from Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macao SAR, People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China National Radio, China Radio International and People’s Daily, etc.

　　Sixth, there is an increase of diplomats. Chinese ambassadors and consuls to ASEAN as well as ASEAN diplomats to China will attend the Forum.

　　Three Innovations

　　First, Innovation in Research Programs.

　　Theme: last year’s theme “co-build a new ASEAN-China growth pole” has already become the direction and objective of PBG economic cooperation. Therefore we will continue to use this theme this year, but adding three sub-themes, namely “new platform, new opportunity, new development”, in order to build on last year’s success and further our research.

　　Discussion topics: topics will cover theoretical research of PBG economic cooperation and CAFTA construction, and explore cooperation projects in specific areas, namely industry, finance, transportation, ports, logistics and tourism to pragmatically boost PBG cooperation.

　　Second, Innovation in Venue Design. We will take full advantage of advanced information technology, such as internet, to provide more convenience for forum participates.

　　Third, Innovation in Forum Activities. After the reception banquet host by CPC Guagnxi Committee and Guangxi Government on 26, a fireworks display will be carried out to celebrate the convocation of the Forum.

　　High Enthusiasm:

　　PBG countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei have all sent high profile officials, bankers, entrepreneurs and diplomats to take part in the Forum. Other countries in ASEAN are also very enthusiastic about this event.

　　In addition, a lot of experts and business elites have actively applied to attend the forum. A group of famous foreign and Chinese experts, for example, Noble Prize winners Mr. Mundell and Mr. Mirrlees, and a group of well-known businesses, such as Maersk Group, IMC, Storaenso, China Electronic Cooperation, Wuhan Iron & Steel Group and New Hope Group, etc will be present at the Forum.

　　Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the press, PBG forum, CAEXPO and CABIS held on a yearly basis have already become windows for exchanges, carriers for business cooperation and platforms for information exchange between ASEAN and China. I am confident that the convocation of this Forum will facilitate the construction of CAFTA, expand channels of business cooperation and promote common development of the two parities. I do hope that our friends from the press can continue to extend your support and attention to PBG development and PBG Forum. We believe that with your gracious support, this Forum is going to be a complete success!

　　Last but not least, wish you sound health, successful career and all the best!

　　Thank you all.