Guangdong looks to become key player in Belt and Road Initiative

Former international leaders attended the 2015 Imperial Spring International Forum, which ended on Saturday in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province. [Photo by Qiu Quanlin /chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangdong province, once known for its inception of China's Silk Road market has turned into an economic powerhouse in South China making significant achievements in international trade and economic cooperation.

Party chief of Guangdong Hu Chunhua spoke at the Imperial Spring Forum on Saturday in front of former leaders of some countries?including Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, Felipe Calderon, former President of Mexico, George A. Papandreon, former Prime Minister of Greece, Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy, Nils Daniel Carl Bildt, former Swedish Prime Minister and Marty M. Natalegawa, former Foreign Minister of Indonesia.

"Guangdong is making efforts to build a major center for economic trade cooperation with countries and regions as China is revitalizing the ancient Maritime Silk Road," said Hu.

According to Hu, Guangdong's trade value with 14 countries involved in the Maritime Silk Road route increased by 12.1 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2015.

China has outlined a national plan to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, or shortly the Belt and Road Initiative, seeking to enhance regional connectivity and prosperity along the ancient trade routes.

"The Belt and Road Initiative provide huge opportunities for Guangdong, a pioneer in China's reform since the 1980s. We want to further boost overall cooperation with overseas countries and regions involved in the initiative and help upgrade the province's industry," said Hu.

According to Hu, Guangdong has already opened 53 air lines and 92 maritime routes connecting Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australia.

"Guangdong is making efforts to stabilize the economy amid the global economic slowdown. We have already introduced a long-term strategy to develop an innovation-driven economy. Guangdong is a vast market for international businesses, especially those from the Belt and Road parties." Hu said.

Guangdong accounts about one ninth of the country's economy.