Top: Early stage of construction at a PetroChina oil refi nery in Guangxi. Above: Night view of the same oil refi nery site after completion.Zhai Kejun / for China Daily

The Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum, which serves to increase collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, opens tomorrow in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi region, and runs through Aug 19.

This is the sixth session of the annual forum, which was set up in 2006.

The Beibu Gulf region's industries and commercial centers have been taking an active part in regional cooperation in recent years, and previous forums have resulted in various agreements on agriculture, fisheries, harbor logistics and tourism.

These have lead to industrial projects covering various areas such as transport, tourism, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy. Major projects include the Foxconn Nanning Science and Technology Park, which was completed in June.

It is located in the Jiangnan Industrial Zone, which has a number of electronics companies working on smart cellphones, GPS, and routers.

Work on another high-tech park began in January, with backing by Foxconn, which is expected to generate more than 10 billion yuan in sales next year.

Guangxi's development plan for next five years gives priority to Foxconn facilities and other Taiwanese projects.

Nanning has some distinct advantages, Foxconn's president, Guo Taiming, has said. These include its location and resources, and Foxconn telecommunication wants to build a world-class manufacturing base and R&D center for its products there, Guo said.

Guangxi is considered a bridgehead for exchanges with ASEAN countries and has some achievements to show for its effort to promote cooperation in the area. This has strengthened Foxconn's resolve to invest in the region, Guo added.

His confidence in Guangxi is shared with Zhang Liyang, the general manager of China South City Holdings Ltd, who had this to say about it, "The dynamic economy and growth potential of Nanning has prompted us to build a China-ASEAN commodity exhibition and trade center."

Zhang went on to say that, "The forum provides a sound place for our company to trade with advanced inland economies and ASEAN members."

At last year's forum, Li Shaode, the president of the China Shipping (Group) Co, suggested that shipping and logistics companies in the Beibu Gulf area increase cooperation to make best use of the industrial chain and develop a comprehensive logistics system for maximum results.

The region has more than 100 ports, when those in the ASEAN countries are counted, and many Australian companies are now looking for new economic growth spots in the smaller cities, said Lin Yiming, vice-president of a China-Australia investment promotion council.

"One key move to promote Beibu Gulf cooperation - a proposed economic development zone for the gulf in Guangxi - is moving ahead rapidly," Lin said.

"So, Guangxi is one of the most valuable investment destinations."

The rapid growth of cities in the gulf area has begun to surpass even that of major cities such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, Lin said, concluding, "They have huge potential."

With its growing influence around the region, Guangxi is getting set for more opportunities, which are expected to push the development of tourism, finance and environmental protection, locally, Lin said.

(China Daily 08/17/2011 page12)