As a high-level event of the upcoming China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), the 2019 China-ASEAN Mayors' Forum was inaugurated in Nanning, Guangxi on Sept 18, attracting 300 guests from 105 cities to discuss sustainable development and cooperation between cities in China and ASEAN countries.

More than 20 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as nearly 200 cities in nine ASEAN countries have participated in the forum since it was established in 2015, which has promoted comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN cities, as well as the construction of the Belt and Road.

The forum was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and lasted for one day. Experts and scholars focused on regional cooperation and common development of China and ASEAN countries, conducting in-depth discussions and exchanges on urban sustainable development focusing on interconnection, business cooperation, and livelihood improvement.

The forum also promoted policy communication, facility connectivity, trade smoothness, financial intermediation, and popular support between China and ASEAN cities, as well as promoted high quality and sustainable development of China-ASEAN cooperation.

The forum aimed to set up a platform for exchanges, cooperation, and innovation between China and ASEAN cities to help them deeply participate in the Belt and Road construction.

The 2019 China-ASEAN Mayors' Forum is held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Sept 18. [Photo by Liang Kaichang/gxnews.com.cn]