Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

  In 2018, the first South Asia Forum kicked off in Kunming, becoming an important institutional platform for dialogue, exchanges and cooperation between China and South Asian and Indian Ocean countries. The 3rd South Asia Forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, with the theme of "helping each other and promoting common development in the region".

  Wang Yubo, Deputy Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Yunnan Province, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He said that taking advantage of the high-quality co-construction of the "Belt and Road", Yunnan has accelerated the construction of China's radiation center for South and Southeast Asia, and its exchanges and cooperation with South Asian countries have continued to expand. The total trade volume has tripled in the past 10 years, and the six pairs of sister cities have basically covered routes. The capital of South Asian countries and an important tourist city, China South Asia Technology Transfer Center has facilitated the landing of more than 80 international projects. Currently, there are more than 2,000 South Asian students studying in Yunnan.

  Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao said that South Asia has a long history, is full of hope, and has unlimited potential. It plays an important role in China's peripheral diplomacy. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries has bucked the trend and will reach US$187.54 billion in 2021, which is more than US$50 billion higher than before the epidemic in 2019 and nearly double that of ten years ago. Among them, the trade volume between China and India reached US$103.6 billion in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 14.6%.

  "China and South Asian countries are both developing countries. They are both advancing on the course of economic development and shouldering the common task of improving people's livelihood. They have already formed a community of shared destiny." Chairman Jiang Jiang said, "In an era where challenges and hopes coexist, the two sides should help each other, strengthen cooperation, work together to promote common development in the region, and jointly build a beautiful homeland in Asia."

  “China is our important development partner "Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen said that with the help of China, Bangladesh has launched a number of infrastructure construction projects, including railways, river tunnels, highways and power facilities. These infrastructure projects will certainly promote regional connectivity and business exchanges. At present, Bangladesh and China have jointly carried out a feasibility study on signing a free trade agreement, which will further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations between the two countries.

  Amir Khan Muttaki, acting foreign minister of the interim government of Afghanistan, said that the world order is changing rapidly, and it is necessary for countries to establish close political, economic and security relations.

  Officials from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, the Union of Comoros, Nepal, Oman, India and other countries also expressed their expectation to seek greater development through closer regional cooperation.

  During the 3rd South Asia Forum, China-South Asia Health Forum and the 2nd South Asia and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Health Alliance Conference, China-Indian Ocean Rim Think Tank Forum and other activities will be held. (end)