Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road (hereinafter referred to as “the Belt and Road”) is a major initiative proposed by the Chinese Government. Guangdong Province boasts unique advantages in building the Belt and Road, in particular the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road. As early as the pre-Qin period, there had been trade activities between Lingnan area and countries on the South China Sea. As one of the starting points of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Guangdong is the only province that has been engaged in maritime trade for more than 2000 consecutive years. Frequent trade and economic links between Guangdong and countries along the ancient Maritime Silk Road made the province a bridge connecting the Chinese civilization and that of the rest of the world. Since the reform and opening-up policy was introduced in China, trade between Guangdong and countries and territories in ASEAN, South Asia and the South Pacific region has leapfrogged. As a result, the province has gradually become one of these countries’ closest economic and trade partners in China. Taking an active part in building the Belt and Road, especially the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road, represents an important move for Guangdong to implement policy arrangements of the central government and further explore its advantages in opening to the outside world. Thus, this plan is drafted in accordance with arrangements of the Chinese Government as well as Guangdong’s local condition.

1. Guiding Principles

Guangdong Province is committed to facilitating inter-governmental policy exchange, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond. While partnering with Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan, Guangdong shall expand cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road for win-win results. By doing this, Guangdong may emerge as a hub for cooperation with these countries, a center for trade and economic activities, and a powerful engine.  

2. Key Tasks

1) Facilitate major infrastructure connectivity. We should make full use of Guangdong’s geographical advantage and further our international cooperation in port, airport, expressway, high-speed railway and information. By doing so, we can build the province into an international shipping and aviation hub that serves countries along the Belt and Road, as well as a comprehensive, convenient and efficient transportation center connecting China and the outside world through land, sea and air. We shall improve Guangzhou Port, Shenzhen Port, Zhuhai Port, Zhanjiang Port and Shantou Port. Based on demands of countries along the Belt and Road for trade and port cooperation, we shall partner with major port cities in China and countries along the Belt and Road to organize the Port City Development and Cooperation Forum. That’s how we co-establish a mechanism for port and logistics cooperation. In the meantime, we shall take part in the construction of port logistics parks in these countries. We shall push forward in-depth cooperation with Hong Kong and Macau for a world-class greater bay area covering the three places. More air routes and flights will be opened from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Southeast Asian countries. Flights to major cities in countries along the China-led initiative will be made available as well. We strive to build Shilong, Dongguan and Datian, Guangzhou into international railway logistics hubs in an effort to achieve smooth land transportation between Guangdong and countries along the Belt and Road. We shall also further our cooperation with these countries in information infrastructure.

2) Expand foreign trade. We will further our trade with countries along the Belt and Road. Markets for imported goods will be established in order to bring more specialties of these countries to Guangdong Province and China at large. We will also set up exhibition centers for Guangdong specialties such as construction materials and hotel products. Representative offices for trade and chambers of commerce are to be set up for trade fairs. We shall strengthen communication with these institutions and agencies. The Guangdong 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, the Canton Fair and China Hi-tech Fair can act as platforms for enhanced trade and economic cooperation. The China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone will also help expand trade with countries along the Belt and Road.

3) Speed up investment cooperation. We encourage businesses to invest in countries along the Belt and Road, and engage in in-depth cooperation with them in areas including modern agriculture, advanced manufacturing, modern services and transnational operation. With our guidance, these businesses will localize themselves, abide by local laws and regulations and respect the customs there. They will also practice corporate social responsibilities, strengthen environmental stewardship and drive local economies by creating more jobs, thereby achieving win-win results.    

4) Push ahead marine cooperation. We shall push forward cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road in such areas as marine fishery, disaster prevention and mitigation, and protection of the ecosystem. To do these, we shall create platforms for technological exchanges and training sessions in fishery, and establish coordination mechanisms for marine pollution prevention and treatment. Businesses from Guangdong will be enabled to partner with countries alongside the routes in mariculture, onshore cultivation and stock breeding. Protecting offshore marine ecosystem is also an area for joint research.

5) Promote energy cooperation. We shall pool financial and technological resources for power cooperation including photovoltaic power plants. We should expand cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road in energy trade, resources exploitation, energy-saving and environment protection including jointly tackling climate change.

6) Expand collaboration in the financial sector. We encourage well-conditioned financial institutions from Guangdong to operate in countries along the Belt and Road. We shall also attract financial institutions from these countries to Guangdong to set up representative offices. We shall give support to institutions from both sides so that they can establish mechanisms for business communication and coordination. Guangdong businesses investing in these countries will be enabled to partner with local financial institutions for common development. The Guangdong Silk Road Fund will be established to serve projects related to the Belt and Road initiative.

7) Further tourism cooperation. We shall sign framework agreements and MoUs with countries along the Belt and Road in tourism cooperation. We shall further our international cooperation in planning, resources development, supervision and public services of the tourism industry. We shall facilitate outbound tourism to countries along the Belt and Road, and help Guangdong businesses engage in tourism cooperation and the construction of tourism hotels, destinations and infrastructure. We shall partner with chambers of commerce, industry associations and major players of the tourism industry to build an overseas promotion center for tourism cooperation. We shall develop international cruise homeports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and initiate the development of cruise tourism in Zhuhai, Shantou and Zhanjiang. Plans will be made for cross-border Silk Road tours.  

8) Make people-to-people exchanges and cooperation closer. We shall further our cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road in culture, science and technology, education, healthcare and sports. These kinds of cooperation, coupled with enhanced friendship and understanding, can serve as the social foundation for mutual trust, integration, inclusiveness and openness. We should join hands with these countries in discovering and protecting cultural heritage of the Maritime Silk Road. We shall create conditions for education cooperation, research exchanges and communication among young people. We should promote public health information sharing, the building of early warning system, prevention and treatment of communicable diseases, and emergency disaster relief. Communication activities will be held to facilitate exchange among governmental sports agencies and non-governmental sports associations.

9) Strengthen mechanisms for foreign exchanges. We shall promote sister-city cooperation and improve mechanisms for cooperation and exchange with countries along the Belt and Road. People-to-people exchange will also be facilitated so as to build a multi-level communication and consultation mechanism. Consulates of these countries in Guangzhou are also crucial platforms for enhanced communication and win-win cooperation. Mechanisms connecting government agencies and their foreign counterparts will be set up for economic information sharing. We shall arrange commercial activities for cooperation, and organize public welfare campaigns in education, healthcare, poverty-alleviation and eco-system protection.

3. Safeguard Mechanism

A steering taskforce for Guangdong’s effort to build the Belt and Road will be established and chaired by leading officials of the provincial government. The Guangdong Development and Reform Commission will take charge of the taskforce’s office. We encourage government departments in the province to build communication mechanisms, share information and co-organize activities with their counterparts in countries along the Belt and Road. We shall carry out thorough investigation and research so as to make innovation in institution development. On top of that, efforts will be intensified to make the China-led initiative better understood by the rest of the world. We shall innovate ways of publicity and actively advocate win-win for greater cooperation and consensus.