China-ASEAN forum on innovation, cooperation opens in Guilin

The China-ASEAN International Forum on Innovation and Cooperation for Sustainable Development

The China-ASEAN International Forum on Innovation and Cooperation for Sustainable Development opened in Guilin on July 14. With the theme of "Production, Life, and Ecology: Suitable Industries, Livable Environment, and Enjoyable Tourism", the forum brought together experts and scholars from eight countries and international organizations. They gathered to explore new paths for global sustainable development and envision a new harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Zhou Jiabin, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and secretary of the CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, said that Guangxi has been deepening its open cooperation with ASEAN, particularly leveraging its valuable ecological advantages, to promote ecological protection and green industry development. Notably, through platforms such as the China-ASEAN Expo, Guangxi has achieved significant progress in integrating into the new development paradigm. 

Zhou emphasized the significance of hosting this forum as a platform for internationalizing sustainable development, deepening exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN and countries along the Belt and Road, and mobilizing global intellectual resources to support the construction of Guilin as a world-class tourist city and innovation demonstration zone. He expressed hope that this forum would deepen open cooperation, promote common development, and showcase China's approach to modernization within the context of sustainability.

The China-ASEAN International Forum on Innovation and Cooperation for Sustainable Development

Zhu Xuehua, director-general of the Department of Social Development at the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, said that the establishment of a national innovative demonstration zone for the sustainable development agenda is a specific measure taken by the Chinese government to implement the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. 

Zhu said the forum provides a significant opportunity for Guilin to expand exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries, sharing China's experiences. 

He said looking towards the future, China is willing to utilize the Guilin National Innovative Demonstration Zone for the Sustainable Development Agenda as a platform. Through innovation as the bond, communication as the path, and projects as the support, China actively seeks cooperation with ASEAN in sharing practices and outcomes related to sustainable development. 

China's aim is to elevate the level of exchange and cooperation, establishing a model for foreign cooperation and development in the new era, said Zhu.

The China-ASEAN International Forum on Innovation and Cooperation for Sustainable Development

The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, includes activities such as a green technology matchmaking session, a forum on promoting the construction of Guilin as a world-class tourist city, and an experience-sharing session on the construction of the national innovative demonstration zone for the sustainable development agenda. 

These activities aim to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Guangxi, particularly Guilin, and ASEAN as well as countries along the Belt and Road, and to gather global wisdom and strength in support of building Guilin as a world-class tourist city.