Chinese State Counsellor Wang Yi speaks at the GMS Business Summit in Hanoi on March 30 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – China will remain committed to pursuing commondevelopment of the GMS countries, said Wang Yi, State Counsellor and Minister ofForeign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, at the Greater MekongSub-region (GMS) Business Summit in Hanoi on March 30.
He highlighted profound changes in theinternational landscape and the world economy, and development opportunities ofthe GMS, expressing his confidence in the prospect of GMS cooperation.
Wang attachedsignificance to strengthening cooperation with, and providing strong impetusfor the development of the neighbouring countries, saying that the GMS will be the first to hear the steps of China’s opening andshare its dividends.
“We look forward to theactive participation of the GMS countries and your business communities toenhance our all-round cooperation”, he said.
He also underlined geographicalproximity, cultural affinity and interconnected interests, and a strongposition for cooperation among the GMS nations.
As a member of the GMS, China sees itsown development and future closely linked with those of the other sub-regionalcountries. China is the biggest trading partner of Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailandand Vietnam, and the second biggest of the Laos. China’s investment in the fiveother GMS countries has topped 40 billion USD.
In 2017, trade between China and the fiveGMS countries reached 220 billion USD, and 30 million visits were exchangedbetween China and these nations.
Through concessional loans and specialcredit line for industrial capacity cooperation, China has given support toover 20 big infrastructure and industrialisation projects in those countries.Construction has started on the key projects of the China-Laos railway andChina-Thailand railway.
Neighboring countries have also been thefirst to benefit from China’s development. China will keep to the policy ofamity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness to pursue partnership andfriendship with the other GMS countries.
In a spirit of partnership, China isready to deepen mutual political trust and practical cooperation with the otherGMS countries to advance regional development and our people’s well-being.
He called on the GMS nations to worktogether to keep the sub-region on the track of fast yet stable development,promote strong growth of the Asian and world economies, and contribute to thebuilding of a global community with a shared future.-VNA
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