On December 28th,theChina-ASEAN Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, hosted by Guangxi University andorganized by the China-ASEANSchool of Economics/China-ASEAN Institute of Financial Cooperation,Guangxi University, was successfully held.

Chen Jian, Distinguished Expert of the Talent Pool for Participation in theDeliberation andAdministration ofStateAffairsunderthe National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and formerViceMinister of the Ministry of Commerce;Li Guozhong,Secretary of theCPC GXU Committee; andGao Yuanyuan,President of the China Association for International Economic Cooperation, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Xia Guo'en,Vice President of GXU, presided over the opening ceremony.

Chen Jian provided a comprehensive review of China-ASEAN cooperation from a global political-economic perspective, highlighting the remarkable achievementsin areas such as trade and investment, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991.Given the current complex international economic environment,hecalled for deeper cooperation in institutional mechanisms,thedigital economy, green development, and cultural exchange.He urged both sides to address challengesjointly with a more open and inclusive attitudeto create abrighter future for China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation.

Li Guozhongemphasizedthatcooperation withASEAN is one of GXU’sdistinctive features, and the university has beencontinuously making efforts inASEAN-related matters.He noted that the China-ASEANSchool of Economics, Guangxi University, supported by the Ministry of Education and the People's GovernmentofGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,is committedto establishingitself as a comprehensive platformintegrating"three bases, one think tank, and one center".Liexpressed hopethat participating guests would continuesupporting GXU’s development andstrengtheningcooperation,contributing tothe construction of Guangxi andthe China-ASEAN community of shared future.

Gao Yuanyuanhighlighted the deepeningintegration of standards and rules between China and ASEAN,which has laida solid foundation for enhancing the connectivity of products and servicesas well asfacilitating trade and investment within the region.She noted that this marksa new phase ofwin-win cooperationbetween China and ASEAN.Gaoemphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between the China Association for International Economic CooperationandtheChina-ASEANSchool of Economics, Guangxi University,deepening think tank research, and jointly supporting national strategic decision-making.

The forum featured the release of two significant reports:Research Report on Chinese Industrial Relocation to Southeast Asiaunder New Circumstances,andChina-ASEAN Financial Development and Cooperation Report 2024.

In the keynote session, experts and scholars fromboth domestic and international institutionsdelivered keynote speeches and analyzed economic trends.These institutions includedUniversiti Tunku Abdul Rahman(Malaysia), Chiang Mai University(Thailand), Vietnam National University, Royal University of Phnom Penh(Cambodia),the Financial Office of theCPCGuangxi Committee, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation,and the Party School of theCPCCentral Committee.

In the high-level dialogue session of the sub-forum, participants engaged in in-depthdiscussions on three topics: "China-ASEAN Digital Economy Cooperation", "Financial Services Supporting High-Quality Industrial Cooperation between China and ASEAN", and "Advancing the Construction of China-ASEAN Free TradeAreaVersion 3.0".

Theforum, themed "China-ASEAN Economic and Trade Cooperation and High-Quality Development",attracted over 150 participants, including expertsand scholars from China,Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam,as well as government officials and corporate representatives.