Yunnan has maximized its location, resources and environmental advantages in recent years to proactively integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative. The province has made significant strides in developing itself as a hub for South and Southeast Asia through comprehensive and in-depth opening-up efforts.
The province has advanced the construction of international corridors with the launch of several cross-border freight train routes such as “China-Laos Railway and China-Europe Railway (Lancang-Mekong-Chengdu-Chongqing)”, “China-Europe Lancang-Mekong Express for freight train” and “Shanghai-Kunming Lancang-Mekong Express for freight train” on the China-Laos Railway. The Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, which was funded by an affiliate of Yunnan Investment Holdings and is operated by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group, opened for business last year in what was a promising development for international aviation along the Lancang-Mekong River.
The Kunming national-level internet backbone direct connection point has been completed and put into use, while the Kunming international communication gateway was officially approved earlier this month.
Yunnan has established a multi-level open platform system led by its free trade zone, supported by economic and technological development zones, cross-border economic cooperation zones, border economic cooperation zones and comprehensive bonded zones, and connected by events such as the China-South Asia Expo and China International Travel Mart. The province’s smart port construction is among the best in China.
Yunnan has also promoted cultural exchanges, implementing livelihood projects in neighboring countries to foster friendship and goodwill among local communities. For two years running, the province has been involved in a project to help over 200 cataract patients regain their sight in Sri Lanka.
Yunnan has organized participation in the Pokhara International Mountain Trail Race and the China-Nepal Dragon Boat Friendship Race and has conducted multiple batches of table tennis training and youth table tennis summer camps in the Maldives.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
