On 17 January 2018, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), and Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong, Chairman of China-ASEAN Business Association, visited Wuxiang New District of Nanning Municipality, and learned about the planning and construction of the District. Joined the visit were Mr. Teh Eng Hin, National Council Member of China-ASEAN Business Association and President of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (Penang), Mr. Huang Liji, Deputy Director of Managing Committee of Wuxiang New District and Director of Economic Development and Investment Promotion Bureau of Wuxiang New District, Mr. Xie Jianhui, Chief of Protocol Section of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs of Nanning, and Mr. Zhang Xuehai, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations Division of ACC.

As the leading and core city in Beibu Bay economic zone, Nanning dedicates to providing important support for Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to build itself into an international gateway to ASEAN, a strategic fulcrum in the opening-up of Southwest and South Central China, and the juncture of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Silk Road Economic Belt. Wuxiang New District is the priority area for Nanning’s development with planned area of 175 square kilometers, and is connected with the downtown area of Nanning with the bridge across the river. Since its inception of construction in 2006, the District has achieved fast progress upholding the concepts of modernization, ecology, convenience and characteristic. At present, 18 of the world top 500 enterprises, 20 of the Chinese top 500 enterprises, 18 companies publicly listed overseas and 13 key financial institutions have settled down in the District. Shouldering the responsibility of implementing the national strategies and strong hopes of China’s opening-up and cooperation with ASEAN, the District will become regional hub of logistics, trade, business, manufacturing and information for ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, and will also become an emerging headquarters base for Pan-Beibu Bay economic belt, and a living-friendly and ecological new district with Lingnan landscapes and modern scenes.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping and Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong discussed with relevant management members and commended the achievements of the District. They hoped that the construction and development of the District could take the opportunities of the in-depth and all-around development of ASEAN-China relation, continuously reach new heights and achieve more outcomes so as to inject stronger impetus to ASEAN-Guangxi and ASEAN-China practical cooperation. Tan?Sri?Dato’?Sri Lim?Gait?Tong stated that the China-ASEAN Business Association would maintain close contacts with the governments of Guangxi and Nanning, explore business opportunities with the District for common development.