Guangxi unveils steps to boost business ties with ASEAN

South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region will promote the construction of the China-ASEAN information port while positioning itself as a key hub on the Digital Silk Road and bolstering cooperation with ASEAN countries to fuel the high-quality growth of the digital economy, officials said on Friday.

A joint initiative between China and ASEAN countries, the China-ASEAN information harbor, aims to deepen internet connectivity, information sharing, and mutually beneficial cooperation and ultimately promote and build a digital Silk Road.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Guangxi has witnessed a remarkable 10.8 percent surge in value addition from its information transmission, software, and IT services sectors.

These sectors now contribute a significant 11.79 percent to the region's GDP growth, according to Zhao Zhigang, Party secretary of the Guangxi Big Data Development Bureau.

In July, Guangxi's capital, Nanning, became China's fourth city to set up a full-service international communications import and export bureau, which is expected to significantly enhance the region's connectivity with ASEAN countries.

Furthermore, Guangxi is championing the inclusion of cross-border data flow within the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations, elevating it to a national strategic priority. This push for smoother data flow is anticipated to bolster bilateral trade.

Guangxi has witnessed a staggering 18.2 percent year-on-year growth in trade with ASEAN during the first three quarters of 2024, surpassing the national growth rate by 12.9 percentage points.

Beyond infrastructure, Guangxi is actively pursuing collaborative initiatives with ASEAN nations.

These include the successful organization of the China-ASEAN E-sports Games, the signing of a pivotal memorandum of understanding with Laos to strengthen cooperation in the digital economy and satellite applications, and the release of the first China-ASEAN legal model for ASEAN countries.

To further propel high-level digital integration in the future, Guangxi has identified two key focus areas, said Zhao.

First, the region prioritizes the construction of the Nanning International Telecommunications Hub and its surrounding industrial ecosystem, aiming for operationalization by 2025. Plans are underway for the initial phase, encompassing 26 cross-border industries, with particular emphasis on cross-border finance and e-sports. Giants such as China Mobile and Huawei are being encouraged to spearhead projects within this framework.

Second, Guangxi aims to establish a pilot zone for cross-border data flow, encompassing an innovative regulatory sandbox. This zone will pioneer solutions for secure and efficient exchange of high-frequency, non-sensitive data in sectors such as logistics and e-commerce, paving the way for the high-quality development of cross-border industries.