Latest news with #Huangshan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: RCEP accelerates regional development and boosts local cooperation, official
BEIJING, June 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has not only become an "accelerator" and "stabilizer" for regional development but also brought unprecedented opportunities for local cooperation, Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), said in a recent interview at the sidelines of the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum held on June 5 in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. In this regard, Anhui Province boasts evident advantages in fields such as green economy and digital economy development, with strong accumulation of technical expertise that matches the development needs of Southeast Asian countries, Shi noted, mentioning strong willingness expressed by Southeast Asian countries during the event to strengthen cooperation with Anhui in the fields such as new energy industries and talent cultivation. The implementation of RCEP has greatly enhanced trade facilitation within the region. Also, more detailed and transparent investment rules have deepened the liberalization of investment, creating vast opportunities for mutual investment, Shi noted, highlighting RCEP's role in strengthening the resilience and connectivity of regional industrial and supply chains amid global economic uncertainties and other challenges. Shi pointed out that RCEP also benefited cooperation among local governments. Through trade and investment facilitation measures, RCEP has directly boosted local economic and trade links and created opportunities for multi-level and wide-ranging exchanges and cooperation. Covering multiple dimensions such as education, science and technology, culture, and tourism, RCEP has built new platforms for local people-to-people exchanges. Shi emphasized that RCEP had played the key role of a regional economic "stabilizer" by deepening economic and trade cooperation, enhancing the resilience of industrial and supply chains, and expanding cooperation in emerging fields. The ACC will continue to be committed to promoting comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation while sharing new opportunities for regional prosperity and development, Shi said. Original link: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: Int'l forum on RCEP local gov't, sister city cooperation opens in E. China's Huangshan
BEIJING, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum opened on Thursday in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and People's Government of Anhui Province, the forum gathered some 300 delegates from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries to discuss regional cooperation in economy, culture, and sister-city ties under the theme "Regional Partnership for Common Development". During the forum, Anhui forged sister province ties with Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk Province and strengthened ties with South Korea's Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The Huangshan Initiative launched the RCEP World Heritage Sites Cooperation Alliance. Ten deals covering investment, trade, and cultural exchanges were signed. In addition, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation released the "RCEP Regional Cooperation Development Report 2025," detailing the pact's implementation results and offering forward-looking cooperation suggestions. Bhokin Bhalakula, president of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, noted fruitful cooperation under RCEP, including the China-Thailand railway and projects in smart grids and solar PV systems. He proposed building innovative demonstration zones and youth entrepreneurship platforms. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre, said RCEP stabilizes the Asia-Pacific economy and injects certainty into global economy. He called for expanded cooperation in digital and green economies, and deeper integration in standards and rules. Multiple sessions were also held, including dialogues on new energy vehicles, photovoltaic supply chains, youth business leaders, agricultural products, e-commerce and overseas Chinese businesses as well as cultural tours. Data showed that Anhui's trade with other RCEP members hit 208.54 billion yuan (about 29.05 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, up 17.3 percent from that in 2021,accounting for 25 percent of the province's total foreign trade. Trade reached 75.38 billion yuan (approximately 10.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of 2025, rising 22.8 percent year on year. Since taking effect, the RCEP has spurred regional growth through tariff cuts, streamlined customs clearance, and trade facilitation. Original link: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: Int'l forum on RCEP local gov't, sister city cooperation opens in E. China's Huangshan
BEIJING, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum opened on Thursday in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and People's Government of Anhui Province, the forum gathered some 300 delegates from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries to discuss regional cooperation in economy, culture, and sister-city ties under the theme "Regional Partnership for Common Development". During the forum, Anhui forged sister province ties with Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk Province and strengthened ties with South Korea's Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The Huangshan Initiative launched the RCEP World Heritage Sites Cooperation Alliance. Ten deals covering investment, trade, and cultural exchanges were signed. In addition, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation released the "RCEP Regional Cooperation Development Report 2025," detailing the pact's implementation results and offering forward-looking cooperation suggestions. Bhokin Bhalakula, president of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, noted fruitful cooperation under RCEP, including the China-Thailand railway and projects in smart grids and solar PV systems. He proposed building innovative demonstration zones and youth entrepreneurship platforms. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre, said RCEP stabilizes the Asia-Pacific economy and injects certainty into global economy. He called for expanded cooperation in digital and green economies, and deeper integration in standards and rules. Multiple sessions were also held, including dialogues on new energy vehicles, photovoltaic supply chains, youth business leaders, agricultural products, e-commerce and overseas Chinese businesses as well as cultural tours. Data showed that Anhui's trade with other RCEP members hit 208.54 billion yuan (about 29.05 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, up 17.3 percent from that in 2021,accounting for 25 percent of the province's total foreign trade. Trade reached 75.38 billion yuan (approximately 10.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of 2025, rising 22.8 percent year on year. Since taking effect, the RCEP has spurred regional growth through tariff cuts, streamlined customs clearance, and trade facilitation. Original link: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Malaysia seeks strategic ties with China's Anhui in digital, green tech, palm oil
HUANGSHAN: Malaysia is seeking to forge strategic partnerships with China's Anhui Province in the digital economy, green technology and palm oil sectors under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework to expand future-oriented regional cooperation. Malaysia's former Special Envoy to China, Tan Kok Wai, said the RCEP has created a conducive platform for deeper bilateral engagement, particularly in innovation-led industries such as e-commerce, electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy and digital infrastructure. "Malaysia is ready to collaborate with Anhui's forward-looking enterprises to shape the next chapter of high-quality development," he said at the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum held here today. Digital and clean energy cooperation in focus Highlighting Malaysia's efforts to grow its digital economy, Tan said Malaysia welcomes participation from Anhui's top firms, including Sungrow Power and iFlytek, in projects related to green data centres and smart city development. "Penang and Malacca are currently being developed as pilot smart cities, and Malaysia also aims to position itself as an ASEAN data hub – a move that could benefit from technological collaboration with Chinese innovators," he said. He noted that strengthening interoperability between Malaysia's Touch 'n Go and China's Alipay would also accelerate cross-border digital payment systems, improving trade and tourism flows. On the clean energy front, Tan said Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional EV hub and hopes to work closely with Anhui's automotive powerhouses such as Chery Group, JAC Motors and NIO. "Proposed areas of collaboration include the development of a nationwide EV charging network through public-private partnerships, the establishment of a right-hand-drive vehicle manufacturing base to serve the ASEAN region, as well as investment in advanced battery research and development," he said. Moreover, Tan, who is also the ASEAN Honourable Advisor of United World Chinese Association, expressed that Malaysia is keen to tap into Gotion High-Tech's expertise in battery labs to build a strong ecosystem for green mobility. Boosting palm oil innovation and agri-tech exchange As the world's second-largest producer of palm oil, Tan said Malaysia is looking forward to attracting more Chinese investments in downstream processing and high-end oil product innovation. Malaysia exported RM10.57 billion worth of palm oil and related products to China in 2024, accounting for more than half of its bulk commodity exports to the country. He encouraged companies such as COFCO Anhui to collaborate with Malaysian suppliers to upgrade refining capacity and penetrate high-value segments of the Chinese market. "Likewise, Malaysia also looks to leverage Anhui's agricultural technologies to enhance its tropical fruit processing capabilities, particularly in durians and pineapples, while boosting exports of niche products like bird's nest and coconut milk to meet rising Chinese demand," he said. RCEP as a catalyst for trade and industrial park upgrades On the RCEP, he said the framework, which came into force in Malaysia in March 2022, has significantly reshaped regional trade flows and reduced barriers. Over 67.9 per cent of goods traded between Malaysia and China currently enjoy zero-tariff treatment, not only in traditional agricultural and industrial goods but also in expanding sectors like services and digital trade. Bilateral trade between China and Malaysia hit a record US$212.04 billion in 2024, marking an 11.4 per cent year-on-year increase. Tan further noted that a study by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) projects that the RCEP could contribute up to 0.8 per cent to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. He also called for greater cultural, tourism and educational exchanges between Malaysia and Anhui, and proposed the launch of a direct flight route between Kuala Lumpur and Hefei to support tourism and ease business travel. Touching on industrial cooperation, Tan emphasised the need to upgrade the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park under the 'Twin Parks 2.0' strategy. "This next phase of development will focus on strengthening cross-border industrial chains in sectors like EVs, bird's nest processing and photovoltaic components," he said. He also highlighted the expansion of Kuantan Port to accommodate vessels of up to 180,000 tonnes, a move that will enhance its position as a strategic node in the China-ASEAN Land-Sea New Corridor. For long-term success, Tan urged companies to localise their workforce, adopt strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, invest in smart manufacturing and actively engage in cross-party dialogue and policy advocacy to manage political and regulatory risks. "As we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China, we are tasked with forging the next Golden Fifty Years," he added.
