The local government in the Subei Mongolian Autonomous County, Northwest China's Gansu Province, has recently introduced an incentive scheme offering families with two or three children a cumulative subsidy of up to 100,000 yuan ($13,823).
The main incentives for families with permanent household registration in Subei who have two or three children include support for childbirth, maternity leave, and medical assistance, as stated on the government's official website on November 14. The medical assistance includes subsidies for residents' medical insurance, maternity medical expenses, and inpatient care.
The policy applies to families who have a second or third child over a three-year period. In the first year, families receive a monthly allowance of 1,000 yuan and 2,000 yuan respectively. In the second year, these amounts increase to 1,400 yuan and 3,000 yuan, and in the third year, they rise further to 1,700 yuan and 3,300 yuan per month.
For those living and working within the borders of Subei County, who register themselves and their children as residents of the county and voluntarily have one child, an additional reward of 10,000 yuan will be granted to those who meet the assessed conditions.
The region is currently in the policy promotion phase, and relevant departments have not yet received any subsidy applications. However, some individuals have already inquired about the specifics of the incentive policy, according to thepaper.cn.
He Yafu, an independent demographer, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the incentives introduced by Subei provide relatively higher subsidies compared to similar policies in other regions. He also noted that the action is a response to the new birth support policy measures unveiled in October by the General Office of China's State Council to promote the building of a birth-friendly society.
So far, many regions including Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Southwest China's Yunnan Province and Shenzhen offer subsidies for families with two or three children. Bangjiangdong village in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, introduced an incentive scheme in May that offers 10,000 yuan for a second child and 30,000 yuan for a third child. This policy officially took effect on June 1.
Hohhot, the capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has also introduced parenting subsidies to families with more children. For families having a second or third child, they will be given a one-time subsidy of 5,000 yuan.
He added that there is also a need to enhance the availability of inclusive childcare services to address the concerns of families with working parents.
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, providing an opportunity to accelerate action in addressing the climate crisis that increasingly affects the world today. China has assumed a responsible role in the global fight against climate change and has been ramping up its efforts in new and green energy in recent years. How does UNDP view China's green efforts and transformation? How has the cooperation between China and the UNDP evolved in recent years? Global Times reporter Xie Wenting (GT) spoke with Beate Trankmann (Trankmann), UNDP Resident Representative in China. GT: What outcomes do you expect from this year's COP29 and what role do you see China playing in the global fight against climate change?
Trankmann: Coming out of the COP16 biodiversity summit in Columbia, COP29 is now a critical opportunity to continue the momentum in responding to our global environmental crises, tackling climate change, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In particular, it will be vital for countries to raise ambition levels including by incorporating biodiversity and social considerations in the next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through a comprehensive approach backed by actionable plans. Nature and climate are two sides of the same coin, and addressing these challenges collectively, is the only way for the world to keep the Paris Agreement target of 1.5 C within reach. Within this context, as a large and growing economy with sizable emissions, China can play a pivotal role. By pursuing enhanced commitments in its next NDC, China can point the way toward more ambitious targets and accelerated actions globally.
Indeed, China has already had a strong track record in recent years of taking measures toward decarbonization. For example, the government's dual carbon goals to peak carbon before 2030, and reach carbon neutrality before 2060, as well as its announcement three years ago to stop investing in new coal power plants overseas are important steps. In addition, on climate finance, China has shown leadership with China's domestic climate finance mobilization accounting for 51 percent of all domestic climate finance globally.
Moving forward, it will be important for China to continue its work to reduce emissions and make green investments. Besides advancing its own low-carbon transformation, China's experience in driving green development can also offer valuable lessons to other countries including through international development cooperation and exchanges. When demand-based, and aligned with the SDGs and international best practices, China's global engagements can provide financing and support for partner countries in adopting sustainable approaches, which can contribute to putting the world on a low-carbon trajectory.
GT: In terms of green cooperation, what initiatives are being discussed or implemented between China and UNDP to promote sustainable practices? How can these initiatives be expanded to include other countries?
Trankmann: The low-carbon transition and green development are top priorities for UNDP's partnership with China. Our joint efforts have seen a wide range of projects and initiatives that have aimed to advance this mission in a variety of ways including informing policy, exploring cutting-edge low-carbon technologies, and directing increased financing toward climate action.
For example, UNDP is working with the Ministry of Science and Technology and others in developing China's hydrogen and fuel-cell industry, as a green transportation solution. The work to commercialize hydrogen-based clean energy transport is ongoing in eight Chinese cities. As part of these efforts, we supported the establishment of a vocational college in Foshan, South China's Guangdong Province, which provides education and training for hydrogen industry workers. The college has trained over 400 students since 2021, helping to prepare people for the future of work, and ensure that pathways to a low-carbon future are inclusive, with new opportunities accessible to everyone. A total of 30 percent of trainees are women - the first women being trained for the hydrogen industry in China.
In directing financing towards sustainability, UNDP has helped to support China, including by providing technical input on the first pilot on social and sustainability bonds launched by the National Association of Financial Market Institutional Investors, opening new opportunities for sustainable finance in the Chinese market. In the last three years, since its launch, a total of $259 million was issued under this initiative.
In addition, in 2023, our SDG Investors Map initiative identified 18 SDG-aligned investment opportunity areas in China worth over $280 billion by 2026. The opportunities are focused on renewable energy and the circular economy, both central to China's goal to reach carbon neutrality.
Looking ahead, we will continue working to advance SDG progress at the local level and accelerate the low-carbon transition in cities while also addressing social and economic issues. In particular, we are looking to support initiatives in several of China's 11 National SDG Demonstration Zones. For example, in Shenzhen, we established an innovation lab earlier this year focusing on sustainable development in megacities, and we also expect to work with the city of Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region focusing on renewable energy and green hydrogen.
Finally, the climate emergency our world faces cannot be solved by any one country alone. That is why, through these and other initiatives, UNDP works to leverage our experience in sustainable development and global network across 170 countries to share knowledge and insights between China and other countries. In particular, through South-South Cooperation, UNDP can help to facilitate exchanges between China and partner countries, providing guidance on alignment with the SDGs and climate goals.
GT: What role do you see being played by emerging technologies in achieving sustainable development in China and globally? How do you evaluate China's investment efforts in renewable energy and how do these efforts impact national and global green development?
Trankmann: In China, the country's green transformation has been heavily driven by technological innovation. In 2023, clean energy sectors were the largest driver of China's economic growth, accounting for 40 percent of the expansion of its GDP. In the mobility sector for instance, in 2009, fewer than 500 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in China. In 2023, there were over 8 million new EV registrations, and today one out of every two vehicles sold in China is either electric or a hybrid.
China is indeed also a world leader in renewables such as solar and wind, accounting for nearly a third of renewable energy installed globally. Non-fossil fuel sources now account for more than half of its total energy generation capacity, meeting the central government's target two years ahead of schedule.
However, there is still room for further progress, and it will be critical to continue building on these achievements to realize the SDGs and climate targets. For example, as in all countries, there are challenges in integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity grid, with renewables accounting for a third of actual electricity output in China. Greater investments in grid infrastructure and energy storage, as well as further reforms in China's power market are important to address these challenges.
In addition, while emerging technologies offer great potential, as China has shown, it will also be critical to ensure that everyone can benefit from these advancements equally. In the field of artificial intelligence (AI) for example, AI-powered solutions can be a great development enabler, especially in critical areas like climate and healthcare, but only if they are developed and deployed responsibly with appropriate governance and safeguards in place. If not, they can also work to exacerbate divides and deepen inequalities both within, and between countries.
At the UN Summit of the Future held in September, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, committing to take urgent actions toward achieving sustainable development and addressing global challenges. As part of this pact, the Global Digital Compact was agreed to - a comprehensive framework for global governance of frontier technology and AI. This framework recognizes the critical role that emerging technologies play in advancing sustainable development, as well as the potential risks they present.
Moving forward, given China's position as a global pioneer in emerging technologies and cutting-edge innovations, its knowledge and experience will continue to be vital to inform discussions on global governance and the regulation of frontier technologies, and how they can be harnessed for positive development impact.
GT: How has the partnership between China and UNDP evolved over the years, from when the organization first started working in the country to the present day?
Trankmann: This year, UNDP is celebrating its 45th anniversary in China. When we first established our office in China in 1979, our focus was on tackling poverty, improving agricultural production, modernizing industries, and introducing new technologies, including some of the very first computer systems.
Over four and a half decades, China has experienced remarkable development progress. Since UNDP began its Human Development Index in 1990, China has been one of only four countries to move from "low" to "high" levels of human development. China has also lifted over 770 million people out of poverty, an incredible achievement, and one which UNDP has been privileged to support.
As China has evolved, so has UNDP. Since 2015, our partnership with China has been guided by the SDGs, and has seen an increased focus on environmental protection and low-carbon development in an effort to address climate change. This has also been in line with China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which has placed a greater emphasis on green development and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Looking ahead, China, and the world, will have to navigate new challenges, including balancing climate commitments, energy security, and socio-economic concerns. Working together with our partners, UNDP will continue to assist China in integrating the SDGs into development decisions, and inform China's international development cooperation engagement to advance global progress on sustainable development.
GT: There are many unstable factors in today's international community that may impact the global sustainable development process. What is your perspective on this situation? How will UNDP respond to the variety of variables in the future?
Trankmann: Sustainable development today does indeed face formidable challenges and unstable factors around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic set development progress back by years, and global conflicts, accelerating climate change, and worsening environmental degradation are all existential crises that threaten the future of humanity and our planet.
All of this has contributed to a worrying lack of progress on the SDGs. Since they were launched in 2015, only 17 percent of SDG targets are on track, with many stagnating or even regressing. In the Asia-Pacific region, at the current rate, it will take until 2062 to achieve the SDGs - more than three decades too late.
However, despite the troubling situation, there are also optimistic signs. In the Peoples' Climate Vote 2024, a global survey carried out by UNDP with the University of Oxford, people in 77 countries, representing 87 percent of the world's population, were asked about their views on climate change. Four out of five people globally, or 80 percent, want their governments to take stronger action to tackle the climate crisis. In addition, 86 percent want to see their countries set aside geopolitical differences and work together on climate change. This is clear evidence that at the individual level, people are invested in the future of our world and are calling for action to be taken to ensure that it can continue to thrive.
At the global level, there have also been positive developments. The Pact for the Future represents a pledge from countries around the world to overcome differences, and work together to respond to shared challenges and safeguard our collective future. While there are many who might question multilateralism amid the many issues our world currently faces, this global pact, alongside the consensus that we aim to build through the ongoing COP29 conference, is a reaffirmation of just how fundamental international cooperation is to addressing the existential crises of our time.
As the lead development agency of the United Nations, UNDP is committed to building consensus, facilitating multilateral cooperation, and working together with all countries to ensure that progress toward the SDGs is reignited and that the Pact for the Future is realized. In carrying out this goal, we understand that there is a great deal of uncertainty and unpredictable variables, and sometimes development is indeed a process of two steps forward, one step back, but this is all the more reason why we are focused on helping vulnerable communities, both in China and around the world, to strengthen their resilience and their ability to buffer against crises and setbacks.
At the invitation of the Chinese side, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong will visit China from November 24 to 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Friday.
Su-57 is one of the world's few fifth-generation stealth fighter jets of the world, and this marks the first appearance of Russia's most advanced military aircraft at the biennial Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, and with the impressive flight performance, it has attracted wide attention at the event.
As part of its promotion campaign for Su-57E ("E" means export), Alexander Mikheev, director general of Rosoboronexport, Russia's only state-controlled intermediary for the export and import of military and dual-use products, told the Global Times that "we are holding technical consultations with a number of Russia's strategic partners. We are discussing both deliveries of final products from Russia and cooperation within joint development and production projects."
Rosoboronexport has signed the first contracts to deliver the export version of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet to foreign customers at the airshow, according to TASS.
Russia has sent two Su-57 jets to Airshow China 2024, with one attending flight performance in the air, and the other presenting a static display to let military delegates worldwide and media, as well as audiences to have a close look. Su-57 and its legend pilot Sergey Bogdan have gained a large fan following not only at the airshow but also among Chinese social media due to the fantastic flight performance.
Standing next to the Su-57E on static display at the airshow, "Mike," a staff member of Rosoboronexport, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the fighter jet "comprises the best technical performances and fully complies with the fifth generation criteria which include the supersonic cruise flight mode, low radar and infrared signature. It has high noise immunity while operating in a contested air environment and it has one of the most advanced and powerful element complexes specifically designed and integrated on the fighter jet."
Mikheev told the Global Times that "Airshow China is one of the largest aerospace exhibitions in the world. It is a landmark event for Rosoboronexport. It was in Zhuhai that the Russian special exporter, established on November 4, 2000, first showcased its products. That is why we are pleased to organize the premiere show of the Su-57E fifth-generation multi-role fighter here, where our aircraft can be seen and appreciated by Russia's key partners."
"We are exhibiting here the latest guided missiles and air bombs for fifth-generation fixed-wing aircraft and attack helicopters," Mikheev said.
He said Su-57E's key competitive advantage is the combat experience against advanced Western air defense systems such as the PATRIOT, NASAMS and IRIS.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that the airshow provides an open platform for all its partners to share their latest achievement in defense industry, aviation and other relevant fields, including Russia, so this is why Russia sees it as a significant opportunity to allow more countries to view and learn about its products, especially when it's still suffering from Western sanctions.
"Su-57 is a fighter jet that has real combat experience, so its appearance at the airshow also provides China a great opportunity to learn and make exchanges with the Russians. Su-57 and China's J-20 and J-35 all have their own characteristics and unique advantages, and through communication, the two countries can mutually promote the development of this area," Song noted.
Mikheev said cooperation between Russia and China in the military-technical sphere is of particular importance for strengthening and developing bilateral relations. The military-technical cooperation between the two countries is of strategic nature, relying on the solid and time-tested principles of equality, mutual benefit and trust with due regard for the interest of the parties and is not directed against third states.
"Rosoboronexport will hold meetings and negotiations with representatives of China and delegations of Russia-friendly countries on cooperation and strengthening military-technical potential," Mikheev said.
After keeping dogs made of cardboard boxes, stones, and mango kernels, many young people in Chinese cities are raising slime molds as niche pets.
Slime mold is neither a fungus nor a bacterium, it is a non-toxic, eukaryotic organism, according to a mycological science blogger. It has two life phases: nutrition and reproduction.
In the nutrition stage, slime molds obtain nutrients by engulfing food scraps, giving them an animal-like quality as they move in search of food.
A woman named Wang Jun started keeping slime molds to relieve work stress. "Keeping slime molds is not difficult, as long as you pay attention to maintaining temperature and humidity and regularly changing the bedding paper when raising them," she told media outlets.
Generally, Wang will feed milled oatmeal to the slime molds, approximately three to five times a day, she added.
Wang keeps her pet, slime mold, in her office, saying that the slime mold is a work-friendly pet, as it would not bring considerable mental trauma to herself and her colleagues in the event of its death.
Regarding the reasons for the popularity of slime molds, experts say that people today lead more settled lives, and many children and young people prefer these novelty gadgets. In addition, many children and young people are fond of keeping pets, slime molds, being quiet and low-maintenance, are ideal companions for study and work, experts noted.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday the United States should not get involved in bilateral disputes over the relevant islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao, nor should it aid or abet the impulsion to make provocations.
China firmly upholds its territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, Xi said, adding dialogue and consultation between states concerned is always the best way to manage differences in the South China Sea.
Xi made the remarks during his meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.
China and Russia on Tuesday had in-depth communication and reached a new consensus in their annual strategic security consultation, marking a high level of mutual trust between the two countries under the guidance of the two heads of state, which not only continues to boost bilateral cooperation, but also helps stabilize regional and global security amid major changes in the international landscape, Chinese analysts said.
China and Russia held the 19th round of their annual strategic security consultation in Beijing on Tuesday, with both sides exchanging in-depth views on major issues of common concern related to strategic security, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The meeting was co-chaired by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Wang said that under the leadership of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained sound, stable momentum amid changes in global affairs.
Both sides adhere to the principles of lasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation, all of which serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples, Wang observed.
Wang said that China and Russia have supported each other firmly on issues concerning their core interests, deepened political mutual trust and promoted practical cooperation, creating a new model for relations between neighboring major countries, and significantly promoting solidarity and cooperation within the Global South.
Guided by the consensus reached by the two heads of state, the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism should strengthen coordination on strategic and overarching issues related to the security and development interests of both sides, Wang said.
Wang also called for enhanced exchange and multilateral coordination between the two countries amid the changing international landscape, so as to provide a strong guarantee for the high-level development momentum of China-Russia relations and ensure that the two countries work together to maintain global strategic stability.
Shoigu said that Russia is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, aiming to promote the continuous development of Russia-China relations.
Shoigu is attending the 19th round of the annual China-Russia strategic security consultation and the ninth meeting of the China-Russia law-enforcement and security cooperation mechanism in China from November 11 to 15, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
High-level mutual trust
Over the last decade or so, President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met over 40 times in various bilateral and multilateral settings, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Under the continuous guidance of the heads of state, China and Russia have close communication through diverse mechanisms and are transforming high-level strategic mutual trust into concrete cooperation in a wide range of sectors, Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor at the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University, pointed to cooperation in aspects including the economy, energy and security.
The two countries also coordinate in multilateral mechanisms, which helps amplify the voice of non-Western countries, promote multipolarity and overlap with the needs of the Global South, Sun noted.
China and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world powers, are joining hands to uphold world peace, stability and security. Their strategic mutual trust and close coordination can help stabilize the region and avoid global crisis, Zhang said.
China supported Russia in hosting the latest BRICS summit in October, the first after the expansion of the BRICS mechanism, which is an epitome of the two countries' cooperation in multilateral architectures, including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Zhang said.
According to Russian news agency Tass, Shoigu will also visit Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. On Tuesday at the opening of the airshow, Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet made its public debut in China.
The schedule, in the context of Shoigu's entire visit, underscores that both China and Russia seek to communicate and coordinate amid recent major changes in international politics and their possible ripple effects, which will impact strategic security, technology and the economy, Sun said.
Sun believes that cooperation between China and Russia will continue in related sectors despite external noises and major changes in the international situation.
The steady development of China-Russia relations, while bringing benefits to the two countries, the region and the world, has made some Western countries uneasy.
Zhang explained that Europe has primary concerns over Russia's diplomatic actions. The West also feels anxious that the China-Russia partnership may pose a challenge to the West-dominated world order.
China-Russia relations feature non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party, the right way for major countries to get along with each other, Zhang said.
However, such a new paradigm for major-country relations in a world in turbulence, which is based on long-term and stable win-win cooperation and solid mutual trust and respect, is misinterpreted by some countries who see the relationship through a confrontational perspective in the geopolitical game, Sun said.
Policies stemming from such a perspective tend to weaponize economics and other topics, with the aim to maintain hegemony, Sun said, citing unilateral sanctions. "But such an approach not only disturbs international cooperation, but can also backfire."
Malaysia and China's robust economic partnership and infrastructure connectivity can serve as a model for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), fostering regional cooperation and sharing of valuable development experiences. Their strong foundation in trade and investment synergy aligns with APEC 2024, underscoring China's pivotal role in regional integration and commitment to peace and prosperity, said Dato' Abdul Majit bin Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, in a recent interview with the Global Times. The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is currently underway in Lima, Peru.
The overarching theme for APEC 2024 is “Empower, Include, Grow,” and there are three priorities: first, trade and investment for inclusive and interconnected growth; second, innovation and digitalization to promote transition to the formal and global economy; and third, sustainable growth for resilient development.
Majid said the theme of the 2024 APEC summit reflects a commitment to inclusive economic growth and sustainable long-term development for the Asia-Pacific region. To achieve the stated goals, leaders need to focus on strengthening open and inclusive trade policies to drive economic growth that benefits all sectors of society, reducing tariffs and barriers, and promoting adoption of emerging technologies and accelerating digital transformation.
Malaysia and China have laid commendable foundations for trade and investment synergy, Majid noted, which can be a model for the APEC framework. The economic partnership between the two countries has further strengthened this linkage through infrastructure connectivity and people to people interactions under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). “Malaysia and China can share their experiences with the APEC member economies. Both APEC and the BRI advocate stronger regional cooperation and integration. China’s success in opening-up policies and green transformation can also be shared with APEC,” he said.
“Malaysia has benefitted from China’s success in green technology such as solar and hydro power, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and automation in its national green transformation program. Collaboration in R&D, training, data centers and scientific exchanges have increased in recent years. It is expected that this cooperation will contribute to Malaysia’s growth and prosperity as a win-win situation,” said Majid.
Majid stressed that as APEC strives to build a more prosperous and equitable order, there are challenges from countervailing forces of anti-globalization and protectionism. To counter this, the summit must continue to advocate for and advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). “Leaders should be committed to open market values and inclusive trade. The FTAAP can help create a framework that aligns with existing regional agreements, integrate sustainable practices such as a green supply chain, and strengthen digitized trade and investment policies.”
Majid expressed concerns that while green development has been embraced by member economies, the progress so far has been slow and uneven. A lack of resources and political will has hindered the green transformation, so the summit needs to prioritize strategies for promoting environmentally responsible growth, by supporting green technologies, encouraging sustainable business practices and transitioning to low-carbon energy.
“Leaders need to push for stronger collaboration on climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as initiatives to promote renewable energy, protect biodiversity and reduce waste. Asia-Pacific must place itself as a global leader in responsible and sustainable development,” he said.
Majid believes that as a member of the Asia-Pacific community, China has a crucial role to play in advancing the vision of APEC 2024 for empowerment, inclusion and growth that benefits all in the region. China has been exemplary in areas such as inclusive trade and investment, innovation and digitalization and sustainable development.
China’s development theme overlaps with that of APEC 2024 and China’s pivotal role in initiatives such as the BRI and active participation in APEC demonstrate its commitment to fostering regional integration and development, promoting peace, prosperity and shared growth in Asia-Pacific, he noted.
China has decided to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to qualified business individuals from the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, China Central Television reported on Thursday.
The decision was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang while he made remarks at the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, which was held in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, from Wednesday to Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
In the first three quarters of this year, Yunnan's import and export value to the five Mekong countries reached 78.92 billion yuan ($11 billion), accounting for 93.7 percent of its trade to the 10 countries of ASEAN, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yunnan Provincial Government said on Wednesday.
By September, Yunnan had recorded a total of $8.714 billion of non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) in the Mekong River countries, and 680 non-financial ODI enterprises in the Mekong River countries had been registered and set up, according to data from Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce.
Li said that China stands ready to work with Mekong countries to deepen the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, and enhance "soft connectivity" on policies, laws, supervision, rules and standards.
China will strive to facilitate the use of cross-border payments and local currency settlements, proactively create more cross-border cooperation demonstration zones, and accelerate the process of regional economic integration, Li added.
"China stands ready to work with Mekong countries to deepen cooperation in the new energy battery, automobile and PV industries, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, smart manufacturing, big data and smart cities," Li said.
Li noted that since the establishment of the GMS mechanism, it has increasingly become an important platform for China and Mekong countries to explore cooperation and promote development. Thanks to concerted efforts, regional economic cooperation has made new progress with growing trade and investment, greater connectivity, expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepening affinity between people. The fruitful cooperation outcomes speak volumes about the vitality and strong resilience of the GMS mechanism.
In a bid to promote sustainable development and economic integration in the region, the GMS Summit is themed "Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development." Leaders of the five Mekong countries and President of the Asian Development Bank attended the summit upon China's invitation.
