On 16 February 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre(ACC), visited Qingdao free trade port zone of China, learned about its development and international cooperation, and exchanged views with relevant principals. Mr. Li Rong, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Municipal Government, and Mr. Gao Qun, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Qingdao, accompanied the visit.

The principal of Qingdao free trade port zone briefed that according to the port’s function, the free trade port zone is divided into bonded zones, free trade port zones, export processing zones, automobile logistics park and bonded function development zones. It has special policy, namely, bonded, duty free, proof free etc. Up to present, Qingdao free trade port has already established economic and trade relations with more than 700 ports in over 180 countries and regions, and approved over 9000 foreign and local projects, including 41 projects of Fortune 500 companies. Qingdao free trade port zone has a frequent business relationship with ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The principal expressed his willingness to promote the port zone’s business to ASEAN countries with ACC’s platform, and welcomed ASEAN countries’ relevant business to Qingdao free trade port zone to discuss cooperation.

Secretary-General Yang spoke highly of the positive role that Qingdao free trade port zone has enhanced economic and trade cooperation between ASEAN and China. She noted that ASEAN countries and China are geographical neighbors and have huge development potentials market space. She hoped that Qingdao free trade port zone would keep enlarging external communication and promoting the exchange and communication with ASEAN countries, as well as contributing more to the ASEAN-China relations.

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