Guizhou sees growth in trade with ASEAN countries

Guizhou companies showcase Guizhou specialties at the 11th China-ASEAN (Thailand) Commodity Fair. [Photo/ddcpc website]

In recent years, cooperation between Southwest China's Guizhou province and ASEAN countries has continuously benefited both sides, boosting their economic and social development.

In the past two years, Guizhou's total import and export volume with ASEAN countries has grown at an average annual rate of 33.8 percent.

The cooperation between Guizhou and ASEAN countries is deepening economic integration, speeding up economic and trade cooperation, and facilitating closer cultural exchanges.

Through exhibitions, Guizhou has achieved fruitful economic and trade exchanges and expanded its circle of open cooperation.

Recently, 20 Guizhou companies participated in the 11th China-ASEAN (Thailand) Commodity Fair in Thailand, where contracts worth 3.74 million yuan ($525,668) were signed.

In terms of cultural tourism, the "Colorful Guizhou" Guiyang—Vientiane tourist train was launched in May of this year, enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges with South and Southeast Asia.

As the only government-to-government education-themed exchange and cooperation platform between China and ASEAN, the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week has been held in Guizhou for 12 sessions since 2008.

Starting at the university level, the event has extended cooperation from higher education to vocational and basic education, promoting exchange and resource sharing between China and ASEAN countries.

Guizhou has designated South and Southeast Asian countries as a strategic focus for enhancing opening-up, with increasingly frequent trade cooperation. According to the Guizhou Provincial Department of Commerce, expanding into the South and Southeast Asian markets is a new strategic initiative for building Guizhou into a new highland of inland opening-up.