Scenes from the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum in the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Sept 18. [Photo by WEN ZONGDUO/chinadaily.com.cn]

Han Dachuan, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also noted the BRI paved the way not only for economic cooperation, but also people-to-people exchanges.

Yang Jinghua, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the NPC of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said consensus-building at think tanks promotes the consensus between governments and peoples, and this cooperation will lead to cooperation in other sectors.

She also called for the region to match their strategies, innovate mechanisms and upgrade channels of connectivity, adding Guangxi has entered an era of comprehensive opening in all directions, linking with both southern neighbors across the border and other parts of the country.

This year has been special to the region, as 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, the starting year for the second China-ASEAN 50-year period of development, the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Other morning speakers at the forum include Sum Chhum Bun, vice president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia; Tang Min, counsellor of the State Council; BA Hamzah, director of the International Security Research Centre at the National Defence University of Malaysia; Tang Nong, president of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Kyee Myint, member of Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies; and Yan Jiehe, honorary chairman of the Zhuangyan Think Tank Institute, founder of Pacific Construction Group and president of Wuwei Academy.

Topics of three parallel panels in the afternoon session included pragmatic cooperation in promoting development of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, jointly planning, building and sharing Belt and Road construction, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges in building a China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

The forum, held in the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, was jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Counsellors' Office of the State Council and the people's government of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Co-organizers include the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, the Counsellors' Office of the People's Government of Guangxi and the China-ASEAN Expo secretariat.

Since its inception in 2008, the China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum has stayed committed to providing a platform for idea exchanges, vigorous discussion, common visions and cooperation for think tanks, experts, and scholars in China and ASEAN countries.