The 12th CAEXPO Talks on International Industrial Capacity Cooperation Projects were held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center on Sept 18.

The talks attracted a number of enterprises, project leaders and representatives of industrial parks in China and ASEAN countries to meet and engage in discussions on international cooperation and equipment manufacturing.

It was the first time for CAEXPO to organize a series of activities themed on international capacity cooperation. Approximately 50 representatives from Chinese companies attended the event, along with officials from investment promotion agencies in countries inside and outside of the ASEAN Free Trade Area. Also in attendance were representatives of near-port industrial sectors, logistics parks and projects in ASEAN countries.

A special area for business talks was set aside at the venue. ASEAN project owners and Chinese enterprises held face-to-face talks on international capacity cooperation. The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. Representatives of logistics parks and project owners exchanged information and cooperation intentions with relevant companies.

A representative of the Thailand-China Rayong Industrial Park said that the CAEXPO provided a channel for communication between industrial parks and enterprises intending to make outward investments. The industrial park is part of an overseas economic and trade cooperation zone approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China to be established in Thailand 10 years ago. It is committed to reducing the risk of investment among Chinese enterprises and coordinating the development of enterprises in the same value chain. It has attracted more than 70 companies from the automobile accessories, machinery and electronics industry to establish branches there.

"China is globally competitive in smart power grid, ultra-high pressure, high-speed railway and other advanced technologies", said a representative of Henan Kexin Enterprise Development Co Ltd.

Henan Kexin Enterprise Development Co Ltd is a professional producer of cables and wires, which hopes to increase its exports to the international markets through the CAEXPO, according to the representative. The company wants to shift its focus from producing cables and wires to providing integrated solutions for smart power grids. It will seek opportunities at this expo to establish partnerships with power grid companies from ASEAN countries. It also plans to set up representative offices in a number of ASEAN countries to seize business opportunities more conveniently. The representative added that ASEAN markets are important for China, particularly in regards to the Belt and Road Initiative, which he expects to see the promotion of electric power, roads, railways and other infrastructure construction closely related with neighboring countries.

Another participant, a member of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone of Cambodia, expressed his optimism about the international capacity for cooperation between ASEAN countries and China. He said that Cambodia has abundant natural resources and labor resources. If more Chinese enterprises are transferred to Cambodia, it will bring more opportunities to the enterprises, create more cooperation between the two countries and help avoid a trading barrier.

"Lots of advantages can facilitate Filipino-China cooperation. The most important is that we have launched many incentives to promote free trade," said the chairman of the Administration Committee of the Zamboanga Special Economic Zone of the Philippines.

"We believe that potential is prominent in the cooperation between the Philippines and China in infrastructure construction, processing and manufacturing sectors. As for the Belt and Road Initiative, it has contained important routes for trade exchanges since ancient times. China now hopes to give new definitions of the routes for deepening state-to-state cooperation, creating more investment opportunities and promoting unimpeded trade," he added.

The promotion on international cooperation constitutes a new mission for the CAEXPO. At the 12th CAEXPO, aside from business talks on international capacity and equipment manufacturing cooperation projects, the International Capacity Cooperation Forum and the International Economic and Capacity Cooperation Exhibition were arranged for the first time at this year's CAEXPO, aimed at boosting cooperation between China and the ASEAN countries.

The series of activities represent part of the new efforts made by the CAEXPO to facilitate the implementation of The Belt and Road Initiative. Other channels of the CAEXPO will be used for releasing relevant policies, establishing mechanisms, organizing events and facilitating cooperation projects. With these measures, the CAEXPO will become a platform for China, ASEAN countries and countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to interpret their policies, coordinate the development of relevant industrial sectors and provide the latest information on cooperation more effectively. This is expected to help promote international capacity cooperation among all countries involved.

Zhang Xiaoqin, vice governor of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region said at an interview that international capacity cooperation between China and ASEAN countries would be advantageous and meet the demands of both sides to serve common interests. He said that China's industrial capacity features a combination of high-end technology and cost competitive labor forces, boasts high cost-effectiveness and suits the needs and conditions of developing ASEAN countries. Such developing countries have not established complete industrial chains and need to improve their manufacturing capabilities. Capacity cooperation will allow China to help ASEAN countries improve their production capacity, enrich their industrial system, accelerate industrialization and boost employment and economic growth.

According to Zhang, the adjustment of the global industrial mix is speeding up, infrastructure construction is flourishing and developing countries are pressing ahead with industrialization, providing us with an unprecedented opportunities to move forward with cooperation in international capacity and equipment manufacturing.

The expo revealed that China expects to build a new framework for opening up to the wider world on all fronts by vigorously implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and mobilizing its advantageous capacity and equipment manufacturing sector to "Go Global" and explore the international market. China's State Council released the Guideline on Promoting Cooperation in International Capacity and Equipment Manufacturing in May 2015. The guidelines identified that the promotion of international capacity and equipment manufacturing cooperation constitutes a major part of China's opening up and cooperation in sharpening China's international competitive edges.

CAEXPO is an important platform serving China's diplomatic strategies in relation to neighboring countries and implementing the Belt and Road Initiative. By arranging activities themed on international capacity cooperation series, it will bolster relations between China and ASEAN countries. It is also expected to help deepen China's reciprocal cooperation with ASEAN countries, explore more opportunities for further economic growth, increase the quality of China's economic growth and increase China's competitiveness in the international arena.