Guangzhou Special:New Maritime Silk Road supported

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, plans to work closely with port cities along the Maritime Silk Road to boost trade and economic ties, as part of the city's involvement in building a modern maritime trade route.

Jing Guangjun, deputy director of Guangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, said the city would develop an industrial alliance with port cities along the ancient maritime trade road.

"We will hold some high-level industrial summits to facilitate bilateral trade and economic ties," said Jing, during a forum on Tuesday that featured development of a blue trade bond and friendly relations with Asian countries.

Jing said the first summit was due to be held in November.

Guangzhou has a history that goes back more than 2,200 years and is the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Local government sources said a number of industrial parks would be established in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"Also, investments from ASEAN countries to Guangzhou are welcome," Jing said.

Guangzhou received $405 million of actual foreign investment from Southeast Asian countries in 2013, according to Jing.

He said Guangzhou's companies had invested $270 million in Singapore by the end of April.

The Maritime Silk Road began when merchants sailed from China's eastern and southern coast to Southeast Asia, Southern Asia and East Africa to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, carrying Chinese goods such as silk, ceramics, lacquer works, tea, medicine and cotton garments.

In return, pearls, turtle shells, spices and other exotic treasures were introduced to China via the trade route.

"Development of a new maritime trade route would help boost closer economic and trade ties between Guangzhou and port cities situated along the ancient road," Jing said.

The 21st century Maritime Silk Road is a cooperative initiative that President Xi Jinping proposed during his visit to Indonesia last October.

In addition to developing industrial alliances, Guangzhou plans to enhance development of cross-border e-commerce services with countries along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Jing said.

"We will provide more efficient channels for exporters to ship their products overseas," he said.

According to Jing, more product centers will be established in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa to promote commodities manufactured in Guangzhou.

In the first four months of this year, Guangzhou's import and export value with 11 countries in Southeast Asia totaled $14.2 billion. This indicated a rise in trade with countries along the Maritime Silk Road, according to Jing.

A planned free trade area in Guangzhou, which will include the Nansha New Area, the Baiyun Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone and other bonded zones, would provide more business opportunities for companies from countries along the trade route.

"We will open more investment areas for foreign companies and improve the investment environment for foreign business," said Jing.

Some key industries in Guangzhou, including modern manufacturing and service, would open further to foreign investors, especially those from countries along the ancient route, according to Jing.

"We will build a more complete system to protect intellectual property rights and ensure a healthy investment environment," he said.

During Tuesday's forum some consul-generals in Guangzhou said that their countries had shown interest in the city's efforts to build stronger bilateral economic and trade ties in the drive to build the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

Suphat ra Sr imaitreephithak, consul-general of Thailand in Guangzhou, said Thailand would work closely with other countries along the route to facilitate easy access for two-way trade and investment with China.

"Thai people know a lot about Guangdong after a trade fair about Guangdong-manufactured products was launched in Thailand five years ago," she said.

"Over the past six months, we have actively promoted trade and cultural cooperation between Indonesia and Guangdong," said Herbhayu Anggun Noerlambang, consul-general of Indonesia in Guangzhou.

According to the Indonesian Consulate-General in Guangzhou, trade between China and Indonesia reached $68.2 billion in 2013.

"Investments from Guangdong-based companies are welcomed as we have set up industrial corridors in Indonesia," he said.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn