On 25 March 2017, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: Islands Economic Cooperation Forum during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2017.

H.E. Mr. Peter M. Christian, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, H.E. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister of China, Mr. Liu Cigui, Governor of Hainan Province, Mr. Jose CH Alvarez, Governor of the Provincial Government of Palawan, the Philippines and other distinguished guests attended the Forum and delivered speeches under the theme of “New Future for the Marine Economy: Opening up and Cooperation”.

Mr. Liu Zhenmin said that island countries are by the sea and closely connected with the sea. It is the common demands of island countries to build ocean passages, develop maritime economies and make full use of marine resources. Island countries should seize the opportunity brought about by the re-balance of global economy and the construction of “Belt and Road”, to further deepen connectivity and maritime capacity cooperation, in an effort to make the maritime economy a new highlight of international cooperation and inject more positive energy to the growth of world economy.

Mr. Liu Cigui said that, Hainan is a big ocean province, which has distinct advantages in developing maritime economy. He made four suggestions: First, to jointly promote the development maritime industry. Second, to jointly construct maritime ecological civilization. Third, to jointly build “smart oceans”. Fourth, to jointly deepen maritime disaster prevention and mitigation.

Mr. Alvarez said that Palawan is located at the south-western part of the Philippines, as an important link between Manila and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines, East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). The Palawan province has the biggest fishing grounds in the country and various marine products, which is popular in the Philippines and abroad. In recent years, the Palawan province attached great importance to the protection of marine ecological environment and the construction of infrastructures, and made remarkable achievements in this regard. He hoped to enhance cooperation with the parties, to jointly promote the development of maritime economy and bring benefits to the people.

Secretary-General Yang exchanged views with the participants during the Forum. She briefly introduced ACC’s efforts in promoting ASEAN-China trade and investment and the achievements it has made, and expressed ACC’s willingness to strengthen its cooperation and communication with relevant parties for win-win results.?