Guangxi enhances ties with ASEAN markets

Amid the hustle of dockworkers and the rhythmic hum of machinery, an assortment of frozen seafood is being loaded onto cargo ships bound for Southeast Asia.

According to the producer of these seafood products, Beihai Quality Aquatic Products Co Ltd, which is based in Beihai, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the company has seen increased sales to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since last year.

Shi Haiting, a company executive, attributes the expansion of export opportunities in ASEAN member countries, particularly Malaysia and Thailand, to the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.

Beihai, Guangxi's largest aquatic product processing and export base and a major industrial city, enjoys strong demand from ASEAN member countries for its mechanical and electrical products, high-tech items, and aquatic goods.

Serving as a gateway to ASEAN, Guangxi is swiftly ramping up its engagement with ASEAN nations across various sectors.

Data from Customs of Nanning, the regional capital, show that in the first 11 months of 2023, Guangxi's trade with ASEAN reached about 293 billion yuan ($41 billion), a 21.8 percent increase year-on-year, higher than Guangxi's overall foreign trade growth.

This accounts for 47.9 percent of Guangxi's total foreign trade during the period, with exports standing at about 209 billion yuan and imports at around 84 billion yuan.

Cross-border tourism and trade between Guangxi and Vietnam are also flourishing.

At the Detian cross-border waterfall scenic area, which started trial operations in mid-September, streams of visitors from both sides of the border can be seen relishing the breathtaking natural spectacle.

"So far, we have welcomed 96 Chinese tour groups, totaling approximately 1,000 visitors, and 165 Vietnamese tour groups, with around 2,600 visitors," said Li Bing, a manager at the local tourism development company.

Due to the growing number of tourists, dining, accommodation and entertainment businesses have emerged in the vicinity, injecting new vitality into the local economy, Li said.

In the field of digital economy, China-ASEAN Information Harbor Co Ltd, established in Nanning in 2016, is spearheading the region's digital transformation and cooperation with ASEAN member states.

The company's projects in digital governance, enterprise, industry and new communication technologies span Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

"Our company has selected advanced and applicable internet application technologies for collaboration with ASEAN countries, promoting the transfer of cutting-edge digital technologies overseas," said Lu Dongliang, chairman and president of the company.