Chinese

current location:Home > Useful Information > New Initiatives

The Plan for Building Fujian into the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road

2016-08-23 09:16
| | | |
{{el.chnl}}:

Issued by Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, and Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce

 

In March 2015, the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, with the authorization of the State Council, issued the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (hereinafter referred to as the Vision and Actions). The Vision and Actions makes it clear that the Central Government supports Fujian in becoming the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. This Plan is therefore formulated and published to act on the Belt and Road Initiative and speed up the building of such a core area.

I General guidelines

1. Significance

Located on the southeast coast of the Chinese mainland, Fujian is an important starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road (MSR). It is the mainland’s gateway to Taiwan, and a vital hub on the north and south-bound shipping lines in the West Pacific. It is also a major ancestral home to overseas Chinese as well as compatriots in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Thanks to its splendid MSR history, unique geological location, a dynamic private sector, and solid foundation for ocean economy, Fujian occupies an important position and plays a big part in the building of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. To carry out the Vision and Actions and speed up the building of such Core Area will help play out Fujian’s competitive advantage, improve the level of its open economy, and drive forward development in a leapfrogging and sustainable way. It will expand Fujian-Taiwan cooperation, enhance cross-Straits fraternity and common interests, and promote peaceful development across the Straits. It will also deepen regional cooperation between China and ASEAN countries as well as other countries and regions along the MSR, create strategic propellers for maritime cooperation to stimulate development in the hinterland areas, and contribute to common prosperity.

2. Fundamental principles

To serve the national overall plan and promote development. Based on the real conditions of Fujian and the purpose of building the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, we will implement faithfully the Belt and Road Initiative and the Vision and Actions to speed up economic and social development in Fujian, placing equal importance on both attracting foreign capital and encouraging outbound investments.

To give play to Fujian’s advantages and be an active player. We will tap further into such advantages in Fujian as MSR’s profound cultural heritage, a large overseas community, a special bond with Taiwan, well-developed seaports and airports, a strong private sector, sound eco-environment, and so on, and take initiative to expand exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world, while making bold moves to try out new approaches and measures to bring up new advantages for opening-up and cooperation.

To seek win-win cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. We will carry forward the Silk Road Spirit -peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, vigorously advance practical cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR, and expand cooperation both in depth and in breath to achieve common prosperity and development.

To set priorities and carry them out in a steady manner. We will deepen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries and regions along the MSR, highlighting the areas to promote policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond. We shall set our mind on the priority sectors and key projects, do well in risk prevention and control, and pool our strength to make breakthroughs for an early harvest.

To make better use of resources at home and abroad, and enhance collaboration with neighboring provinces. We will follow market operation, play the government’s guiding role, and give full display to the primary role of enterprises. We will encourage overseas Chinese as well as compatriots in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau to do their part, and enhance collaboration and coordination with neighboring provinces, so as to boost all parties’ active participation and foster a driving force for the building of the Core Area.

3. Functions and position

We will give full play to Fujian’s competitive advantages, adopt a more proactive strategy for opening-up, and continue to strengthen Fujian’s position as the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, taking the lead in connectivity realization, economic cooperation, institutional innovation and people-to-people exchange, and serving as a model, a magnet and a stimulant to others as well.

We will build Fujian into an important hub for connectivity along the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should strengthen the role of seaports and airports as gateways, improve railway and trunk highway networks, and enhance cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR in port construction, customs clearance, and IT application in logistics service, so as to build a safe, efficient, and convenient sea-land-air transport network, with the port cities of Fujian as strategic propellers for maritime cooperation, which connects to countries and regions along the MSR.

We will build Fujian into a major platform for economic cooperation in the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should make use of Fujian’s industrial complementarity with countries and regions along the MSR, rely on the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone (hereinafter referred to as Fujian Pilot FTZ) and other development parks as key players, and strive to make breakthroughs in industrial, trade and investment cooperation with these countries and regions, so as to reap an early harvest.

We will build Fujian into a pilot place for institutional innovation in the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. While accelerating the construction of Fujian Pilot FTZ, we should try out reform measures in promoting and improving investment and trade facilitation, financial innovation, supervision and regulatory environment. We should establish and improve the mechanisms for regular inter-governmental exchanges, for investment and trade promotion and protection, for financing protection, and for people-to-people exchange.

We will build Fujian into an important link for cultural and people-to-people exchange in the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchange with countries and regions along the MSR, with overseas Chinese and compatriots in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as the linkage, the common cultural heritage such as Mazu Culture, South Fujian Culture, and Hakka Culture as the basis, non-governmental exchange as the main form, and governmental communication as the support.

4. Cooperation roadmap

Based on our historical contacts and current situation of economic cooperation and cultural exchange with countries and regions along the MSR, our cooperation roadmap follows these courses: The west one starting from the seaports of Fujian southward to the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean and to Europe; the south one starting from the seaports of Fujian southward to the South China Sea, Indonesia and to the south Pacific Ocean; and the north one starting from the seaports of Fujian northward to ROK, Japan, far east of Russia and to North America, given the cooperation foundation between Fujian and its traditional partners in Northeast Asia.

5. General layout

 

We should make full use of advantages of geographic position, people-to-people bonds, history and culture, opening up initiatives, and industrial development in different parts of Fujian. Coastal port cities will play a more important role in boosting development, while inland cities will make more efforts to receive relocated industries and expand markets. We shall reasonably identify priority sectors and areas for cooperation, so as to bring up new advantage in joining and leading international cooperation.

 

We support Quanzhou in becoming the front runner in building the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. By leveraging its strengths of deep connection with overseas Chinese, dynamic private sector, and profound Islamic culture, Quanzhou will take the initiative in attracting overseas Chinese to take part in the drive to build the Core Area, encouraging private businesses to go global, promoting international exchanges of MSR cultures, making international financial innovations, and transforming manufacturing sector to be more environmentally-friendly. So doing, we aim to bring Quanzhou’s opening up to and cooperation with countries and regions in Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and North Africa to a new high.

 

We support port cities and areas such as Fuzhou, Xiamen and Pingtan in becoming strategic propellers for maritime cooperation. By taking advantages of industrial foundation, port resources and opening up policies of Fuzhou and Xiamen, and by relying on the building of Fuzhou New Area and Xiamen Southeast International Shipping Center, we will deepen maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries, and create a number of internationally influential cooperation platforms for countries and regions along the MSR. In the meantime, we should devote efforts to developing hubs of connectivity in the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, centers of business and trade cooperation, and key areas of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. By making use of preferential policies on pioneering new approaches to cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation applied to Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone and Xiamen, and Zhangzhou’s industrial link with Taiwan, we will deepen corss-Straits cooperation and expand channels and fields of cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR, so as to open a new chapter of cross-Straits cooperation in building the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. By taking the advantage of deep-water ports and tapping Mazu and Chen Jinggu cultures of Putian and Ningde, we will have more business and trade cooperation and exchanges on folk belief with countries and regions along the MSR, thus achieving joint development of business and people-to-people relationships.

 

We support Sanming, Nanping and Longyan in becoming pillars that sustain hinterland development of the MSR. By tapping ecological and tourist resources, and Zhuxi and Hakka cultures, the three cities shall actively participate in the drive to build the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and expand their exchanges and cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR. Meanwhile, by carrying forward the distinctive cultures exemplified by the ancient tea route, we should connect these cities with the Silk Road Economic Belt, build internationally renowned destinations for eco-tourism, demonstration zones of green development, and exchange bases of tea culture and Hakka culture, and thus raise the level of international cooperation.

 

II. To accelerate facilities connectivity

 

1. We will step up the building of sea passageways with port development as the priority. We should accelerate the building of integrated and specialized large scale port clusters. Efforts will be focused on the two port areas for containers, the two for bulk cargos, and the two for liquefied gases. We should integrate shipping routes, and enhance comprehensive port services. Priority should be given to Xiamen Southeast International Shipping Center to enable it to become a hub of the international shipping network. We will promote shipping cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR, establish more sister ports, encourage establishment of branches or offices by ports or shipping enterprises, support joint construction of ports, open up more sea routes, and increase voyages. We will encourage Fujian businesses to participate in the construction and operation of shipping bases and port logistics parks in countries along the MSR, attract foreign shipping enterprises to invest in port logistics parks or specialized logistics bases, and support inland provinces and cities in establishing “enclave ports” in Fujian. We will accelerate the building of Xiamen International Cruise Home Port, and seek to open Fujian-Taiwan-Hong Kong-ASEAN cruise line. In the meantime, we should develop cruise services in Pingtan, which will serve to boost tourism in Fujian and Taiwan.

 

2. We will enhance the building of aviation hubs and air passageways. The priority is to speed up building the new Xiamen airport. Xiamen International Airport will be consolidated as a regional hub. Xiamen will develop into an aviation hub for flight transit from China to ASEAN countries. We should accelerate the second round of capacity expansion and the second phase of extension of Fuzhou airport, so that it can better play the role as the gateway of Fujian. At the same time, we should make more efforts in planning the building of new Quanzhou airport and the relocation of Wuyishan airport. We will launch more international routes, encourage Chinese and foreign airlines to open up new or add more flights from Fujian to major cities in Southeast, South Asia, West Asia, Africa and Europe, flights to ASEAN countries in particular. We should improve cooperation mechanism for aviation, tourism and conference and exhibition, and support airlines in providing services such as charter flights and high-end business services.

 

3. We will improve the network of land-and-sea transportation. We should build more land passageways to ensure convenient transportation into and out of ports. Ports in Fujian will be better connected with railways, expressways, and airports. We should actively expand port hinterland, develop inland ports, provide multiple forms of joint transportation to serve the opening up of central and western regions. We should establish consultation mechanism involving railway and port administrations as well as enterprises, and work to develop rail-and-sea joint transportation. We should speed up the construction of railways such as Quzhou-Ningde Railway, Ji’an-Yong’an-Quanzhou Railway, Fuzhou-Xiamen Passenger Railway, and expressways such as Ningbo-Dongguan Expressway, and Putian-Yanlin Expressway, improve railway and road networks connecting with ports, and enhance land passageways connecting Fujian with the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and central and western regions.

 

4. We will improve customs clearance in all ports. We should open ports in Fujian even wider, intensify the construction of port infrastructure, improve customs clearance, integrate clearance procedures, promote connectivity and information sharing among e-ports, so as to enhance facilitation for clearing customs. We should strengthen connectivity and interaction with domestic port-based logistics information services, e-port services, cross-border e-business services, and information services for large logistics enterprises, and build the logistics information center for the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We should facilitate cross-border transportation to ASEAN countries, and strengthen cooperation in IT application on maritime logistics. Based on Fujian’s “Single Window” online platform for international trade, we should explore ways to enhance information exchanges, mutual recognition of methods of supervision, and joint law enforcement with port authorities in countries and regions such as ASEAN countries, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, thus creating a more convenient customs clearance system.

 

5. We will intensify the effort to develop modern information channel. We will work to build Fujian-ASEAN information corridor, enhance information network cooperation and information transmission mechanism, promote information connectivity with countries and regions along the MSR, and create a more convenient information transmission system.

 

III. To promote industrial connectivity with MSR countries and regions

 

1. We will support enterprises in expanding outbound investments. While accelerating industrial transformation and upgrading, we should encourage enterprises of various types to invest overseas. We should transfer competitive production capacity to countries and regions along the MSR in a steady and orderly manner, and speed up the construction of assembly and service bases there for automobile, engineering machines, food-processing machines, electricity equipment, and ship building. Priority should be given to enterprises in building industrial parks and manufacturing bases for the sectors such as metallurgy, machinery, textile, garment and footwear. We should encourage our cutting-edge equipment, technical standards, and management concepts to go global, and establish a number of multinational corporations and internationally renowned brands.

 

2. We will expand cooperation on modern agriculture. We should deepen overseas cooperation in such areas as grains, tea, edible mushrooms, fruits and vegetables. Support should be delivered to enterprises in setting up agricultural production bases abroad, engaging in circulation of agricultural products, and building logistics system for agricultural products. We should consolidate and deepen cooperation in breeding, planting and deep-processing of grains, and enhance the development of demonstration parks of Juncao industry. We should encourage enterprises to build tea plantations in countries and regions along the MSR, support leading tea companies from Wuyishan and Anxi in jointly expanding international market, create internationally renowned Fujian tea brands, and properly increase local processing. We will actively offer agricultural technical assistance to Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, and help relevant countries improve agricultural production.

 

3. We will deepen cooperation on leading industries. We should promote matchmaking of major industries such as petrochemicals, machinery and equipment, and electronic information with overseas partners. Priority should be given to fine chemicals projects in Jiangyin Port Area and Meizhou Bay which are jointly built with Southeast Asian and West Asian enterprises. Based on Quangang and Quanhui Petrochemical Park, petrochemical cooperation with enterprises from West Asia and other regions will be expanded. Based on Gulei Petrochemical Park, we will support and encourage enterprises from countries and regions along the MSR to take part in Sinopec’s middle-and-downstream projects. We will also deepen cooperation with these countries and regions in such fields as integrated circuits, flat panel displays, and numerical control machine tools.

 

4. We will strengthen cooperation on energy and mining. Based on Fujian’s major ports, we should build logistics distribution and processing bases for oil, gas and ore imported from countries and regions along the MSR. We will expand cooperation with West Asia and other regions in mining and energy, strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asia and other regions in mineral resources development and deep-processing. Meanwhile, we will support enterprises in new energy cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR.

 

5. We will enhance cooperation on tourism. Priority will be given to tourism cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR, in particular, those in Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. We will launch a number of premium tourist routes, support cultural and tourism events such as Maritime Silk Road International Tourism Festival, and jointly build the brands of MSR tourism, thus developing Fujian into a pilot zone and major tourist center of MSR tourism. In addition to Pingtan International Tourism Island, we are planning to develop Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Meizhou Island into major tourist destinations on the MSR, upgrade a number of key scenic attractions including Wuyi Mountains, Fujian Tulou, Danxia landscape in Taining, and Ningde World Geopark, and promote cultural tourism products with distinctive features of the MSR. We will encourage enterprises to engage in the construction of tourism infrastructure in countries and regions along the MSR, and mutually set up tourism offices. At the same time, we will explore ways to build the MSR Tourism Economic Corridor and South China Sea Rim Economic Circle.

 

IV. To strengthen maritime cooperation with MSR countries and regions

 

1. We will actively develop ocean fishery. We will tap fishing resources in the high seas of the Pacific and the Indian oceans, and establish long-term and stable cooperation on fishing industry with relevant countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and Africa. We support enterprises in building ocean fishery bases, aquacultural bases, cold-chain processing bases, and service and maintenance platforms in countries and regions along the MSR, and in exploring ways to provide examining and testing services for fishing vessels in these countries and regions. Support should also be given to enterprises in carrying out work such as conducting annual examination and inspection of fishing vessels overseas, giving tests and issuing certification for sailors, and offering education and training for fishermen.

 

2. We will strengthen cooperation on marine sciences and environmental protection. Relying on our marine strength, we will enhance exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries in fields such as protection and restoration of marine eco-environment, protection of endangered marine animals, enhancement of marine biodiversity, and conservation of marine ecological systems. Together with countries and regions along the MSR, we will work to make joint action plans in marine monitoring, marine environmental protection, biodiversity, resources exploitation, etc. We support Fujian-based research institutes and higher education institutions in collaborating with the research institutes along the MSR in observation and risk warning of marine eco-system, restoration of coastline, ocean carbon sink, and marine scientific expedition. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the annual Xiamen International Ocean Week, China-ASEAN Forum on Marine Economic Cooperation will be held for discussions and cooperation on comprehensive marine management, disaster alleviation and prevention, technological exchanges, resources conservation and environmental protection, and maritime cultural exchanges.

 

3. We will intensify cooperation on maritime security. We will enhance cooperation with ASEAN countries in marine observation and forecast, maritime search and rescue, disaster alleviation, prevention, and early warning, and establish joint cooperation and service platform for tsunami warning and alleviation. We should participate in the state-led joint law enforcement and anti-terrorism actions, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with law enforcement authorities of maritime security in ASEAN countries, so as to enhance mutual trust, jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, and ensure safe navigation.

 

V. To expand economic and trade cooperation with MSR countries and regions

 

1. We will push forward the development of Fujian Pilot FTZ. By taking full advantages of reforms and pilot schemes, we should foster an internationalized, market-based and law-based business environment. We should open even wider to and pioneer new approaches on cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR, carry out policies to facilitate investment and trade, set up pilot zones for reform and innovation, so as to create new channels to develop mutual exchanges and cooperation. We should make use of the influence of Fujian Pilot FTZ to bring along the rest of Fujian and neighbouring regions in the endeavor to contribute to the building of the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.

 

2. We will devote efforts to improving foreign trade. We should consolidate the traditional trading markets, seek new opportunities in emerging markets including South Asia, West Asia and Africa, and develop new growth engines. We should transform and upgrade the exportation of key industries, and export more high value-added products. We should bring up more renowned brands, sponsor promotion events for Fujian brands, and increase the sales of Fujian products in countries and regions along the MSR. We should encourage businesses to set up marketing and operation centers in Hong Kong and Macao, and expand transit trade. Support should be available for enterprises to increase import of cutting-edge equipment and technology, important resources, key components, and consumer goods that meet customers’ various demands.

 

3. We will build a stronger supporting system for trade. We should actively develop cross-border e-commerce, enhance coordination in customs, inspection and quarantine, and transportation authorities, make innovation in supervision, establish service platforms for cross-border e-commerce and international logistics, and encourage businesses to do e-business with countries and regions along the MSR. Support should be available for enterprises to set up logistics bases overseas, build their own or use third party cross-border e-commerce platforms to expand trade, and encourage them to accelerate the building of commerce and logistics bases abroad. We should integrate customs and make better use of such supervised zones as bonded zones, export processing zones, bonded logistics zones, and bonded ports (comprehensive bonded zones). With all of these, we aim to deepen economic and trade cooperation with countries and regions along the MSR.

 

4. We will enhance investment promotion. We should improve mechanisms for promoting two-way investment. We should channel more foreign capitals into the leading industries, high-tech industries, modern service industry, and energy saving and environment protection industry. We should ensure the success of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Forum on “Belt and Road” Cooperation & Asia Business Conference and the China (Quanzhou) Maritime Silk Road International Brand Expo. We will host MSR-related activities by leveraging such exhibition platforms as China International Fair for Investment and Trade, the Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade, and China Cross-Straits Technology and Project Fair, and invite more participants from MSR countries and regions for trade expansion and investment cooperation. We should encourage various industrial parks to attract targeted investments, introducing more FDI projects that are consistent with the industrial policy guideline. We should support enterprises in getting listed in MSR countries and regions. And we will encourage enterprises to set up manufacturing bases overseas in the fields of light industry, textile, garment, home appliances, machinery, shipbuilding, electronic information, and encourage and support qualified enterprises to develop Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones overseas.

 

VI. To forge closer cultural and people-to-people ties with MSR countries and regions

 

1. We will enrich cultural exchanges. We should mine the rich historical and cultural values of the MSR; organize the exhibition of Fujian’s fine cultural arts in MSR countries and regions; and host various cultural and sports exchange activities in Fujian. We should strengthen research on the MSR-related historical records and collection and preservation of cultural relics; support Quanzhou, together with some cities of relevant countries and regions, in leading the effort to apply for the MSR to be inscribed on the List of World Heritage; and promote the construction of a “MSR digital cultural corridor”. We should streamline various festival activities in Fujian, supporting Quanzhou in hosting MSR International Arts Festival, Xiamen in hosting “Nanyang Culture Festival”, and Fuzhou and Quanzhou in hosting “21st-Century MSR International Symposium”. We will organize such events as “The Dream of the Maritime Silk Road”, a full-length dance drama, the “Long Voyage”, a photo exhibition on MSR relic treasures, and the MSR book and photo fairs in ASEAN and other countries and regions. We will also facilitate the establishment of more Overseas Fujianese Cultural Centers and Overseas Fujianese Bookstores in MSR countries and regions.

 

We will deepen friendly exchanges among youth, NGOs and social organizations. We will increase exchanges on folk beliefs and folk cultures; host the World Hakka Congress; endeavor to establish the World Mazu Cultural Center in Putian City; and hold various worship ceremonies and cultural activities regularly to boost mutual trust among the peoples. We will launch the “MSR Friendship Vessel” to Southeast Asia for investigative tours and exchanges. We will also enhance mutual understanding by beefing up MSR media exchanges and cooperation.

 

2. We will deepen educational cooperation. We will encourage Huaqiao University and other institutions of higher learning to jointly run schools or set up branch campuses abroad, and support Xiamen University in establishing the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences based on its Malaysia Campus for joint efforts on marine affairs and sci-tech training. With resources and advantages in and outside Fujian, we will jointly build the “Maritime Silk Road Research Institute” in Huaqiao University as a high-end think tank and academic exchange platform for research on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We will support Fujian Normal University and other universities in setting up Confucius Institutes or Chinese language training classes in Southeast Asia. We will send more students to each other’s countries, and increase the number of international students by offering more scholarships to ASEAN countries. We will also send more students to other countries.

 

3. We will enhance the exchange and cooperation in medical and healthcare sector. We should continue with our medical assistance programs abroad; help improve the medical conditions in Southeast Asia by supporting eligible businesses and individuals in running hospitals or opening specialized medical clinics there; implement our cooperation projects with Thailand in mental health through mutual learning and exchange of visits; tap the potential for health cooperation with developed countries; and support MSR countries and regions with high-end medical services in setting up medical institutions in Fujian.

 

4. We will establish more sister cities. Priority will be given to sister relationship with ASEAN countries. We will also work to expand friendly exchanges with sister cities in South Asia, West Asia, East Africa, North Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. With these efforts, we aim to build a platform to forge closer cultural and people-to-people ties with them. 

 

5. We will expand labor service cooperation. Based on the building and management of existing overseas investment projects, we will enhance labor training and increase labor services cooperation in project contracting, maritime transport, and modern fishery. Moreover, to alleviate labor shortage in some areas and industries, we will pilot labor import from overseas, thereby launching a new channel of two-way labor cooperation.

To tap the potential of the overseas Chinese

1. We will stimulate the participation of overseas Chinese businessmen

We will give play to the strengths of the overseas Chinese in the MSR countries and regions, and encourage local Chinese businessmen to participate in and facilitate our cooperation with them on major infrastructure and industrial park development projects. We will devote more efforts to attracting overseas Chinese investment and talents, by playing up the role of key overseas Fujian associations, keeping contact with overseas Chinese business tycoons, and inviting them to explore investment opportunities in Fujian. We should do a good job in investment promotion and provide good service to overseas Chinese-invested companies, and encourage overseas Chinese to actively participate in the construction of Fujian Pilot FTZ.

2. We will strengthen the emotional bond with overseas Chinese

We should continue the effort to establish MSR Overseas Chinese Kinship Museums respectively in Fuzhou and Xiamen, and support Quanzhou in setting up a comprehensive platform to help overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia trace their ancestral roots. We should advance and improve the work related to Chinese language teaching and summer (winter) camps for overseas Chinese youth in the countries and regions along the MSR. Through various ways such as interviews with overseas Chinese, display of genealogical records and archives, we aim to play up the important role of overseas Chinese as participants, constructors and witnesses of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. We will encourage the overseas Chinese and Chinese communities in the countries and regions along the MSR to strengthen communication with Fujian companies that have invested there, and help them to fulfill their social responsibility and live in harmony with local people.

VIII. To work together with Taiwan in expanding international cooperation

 

1.      We will deepen economic cooperation with Taiwan

 

We will enhance exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan to promote the building of the Core Area, which, in turn, will raise the level of our exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan. We will work to enhance cooperation between Fujian Pilot FTZ and Taiwan Free Economic Pilot Zone. We support engagement of Taiwan enterprises in Fujian’s port construction; increase cooperation with Taiwan on maritime transport; and work with Taiwan to bring about a Taiwan Straits Rim ports cluster and a shipping center. We will support Fujian businesses in strengthening cooperation with Taiwan-funded enterprises in MSR countries and regions, so that they can join hands to increase their presence in ASEAN and other international markets. We will improve law enforcement cooperation mechanism for maritime safety to ensure a stable and unimpeded maritime silk road.

 

2.      We will expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Taiwan

 

We should increase exchanges on cultural roots and folk culture; develop South Fujian culture-themed eco-preservation pilot area, as well as Hakka Culture and Mazu Culture at a faster pace while promoting Chinese culture. We should better leverage the effects of the Straits Forum, and deepen community-level exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits. We will open up main channels for cross-Straits direct contact, consolidate the role of Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou as transit hubs for cross-Straits direct flight, and further facilitate people-to-people exchanges. We will expand sports-related exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan as well as ASEAN and other MSR countries and regions. We will support Pingtan in joining hands with Taiwan for research on the origin of Austronesian language family.

 

To make innovation in opening-up and cooperation mechanism

 

1. We will consolidate inter-governmental exchange mechanism. We will set up mechanisms for regular exchange with ASEAN countries, highlighting high-level visits, in order to carry out practical cooperation and strive for new consensus or breakthroughs in key subjects and areas. Also high on our agenda are efforts to improve mechanisms for inter-governmental exchanges with major cities, especially sister cities along the MSR, and push for the establishment of sister province/state relationship with ASEAN countries. Foreign diplomats in China and other government officials from relevant countries will be invited to Fujian for sharing their views on future cooperation. Fujian provincial departments and multi-district cities will strengthen exchanges with their counterparts in relevant countries.

 

2. We will establish domestic coordination mechanism. We should put in place a domestic coordination network to advance the building of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road by working in concert with Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangxi, and Hainan Province. We should bring into full play the role of Pan Pearl River Delta Forum as a platform for regional cooperation, and, together with provinces within the region, expand communication and cooperation with MSR countries and regions. We should actively participate in the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt, increase economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges with countries and regions along the Belt, and support the City of Wuyishan in sponsoring the ancient tea route-themed economic, cultural and tourism events together with major cities along the Belt.

 

3. We will build major cooperation platforms.

 

First, we should comprehensive platforms for exchange and cooperation. We should actively support the central government in holding an international summit forum on the Belt and Road Initiative, as proposed in the Vision and Actions, in order to strengthen exchange with countries and regions along the Belt and the Road. We will push for the establishment of MSR Cities Alliance with its secretariat in Quanzhou, inviting major cities along the Road from home and abroad to join as members. A series of events, including annual meetings, summits, and forums, will be held to enhance exchange and cooperation;

 

Secondly, we should build platforms for economic cooperation and trade. Priority should be given to the Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade held in Fuzhou, which is now also known as the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Exposition, where businesses and other organizations from MSR countries and regions will be invited for products exhibition, promotion and investment negotiation. We should support the China Council for Promotion of International Trade in taking the initiative to establish a MSR multilateral business council and set up its liaison office in Quanzhou, providing a mechanism for multilateral business cooperation among countries and regions along the MSR;

 

Thirdly, we should build platforms for maritime cooperation. Priority should be given to the establishment of China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Center in Xiamen, a platform featuring innovation, cooperation and win-win progress, and aiming at all-round maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries. We should support Fuzhou in improving the China-ASEAN Marine Product Exchange and facilitate the establishment of its subsidiaries in countries and regions along the MSR, thus building an E-business platform for marine product trade; and

 

Fourthly, we should build platforms for cultural exchange. Priority should be given to the Silk Road International Film Festival organized by Fuzhou, so as to promote cultural exchange among countries along the Belt and the Road. We should also support Quanzhou in integrating its Maritime Museum and Museum of the History of Overseas Chinese, and building a Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Exchange & Exhibition Center.

 

X. To back up with policies and measures

 

1. We will strengthen organizational support. The leading group for building the Core Area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road and its general office will give overall guidance and planning, formulate supporting policies, and coordinate efforts to advance major projects of international cooperation and deal with major issues that arise. Similar coordinating mechanisms should also be set up at multi-district cities and Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone to ensure the implementation of policies and measures and fulfillment of objectives and tasks.

 

2. We will strengthen overall planning and coordination. To carry out this plan, relevant provincial departments, cities and Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone should respectively formulate their specific action plans or measures. Departments shall better cooperate to promote the work in an orderly way. We will work to promote sound interactions between the government and the private sector, and stimulate the enthusiasm of various sectors, so that the work can be advanced through effective coordination and cooperation.

 

3. We will strengthen policy support.  We should try our best to attract greater budgetary investment from the central government and greater capital input from central government special funds and overseas concessional loans in support of major cooperation projects in the Core Area. We should integrate existing local financial channels for greater support to priority projects in the Core Area. We will seek greater financial support from development-oriented financial institutions, national policy banks, commercial banks, and AIIB, as well as Silk Road Fund and the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund. We should expand the scale and investment scope of the Fujian Marine Industry Venture Capital Fund to dovetail national development- and policy-based financing, and provide financing support for Fujian businesses’ efforts to go global and invest in countries and regions along the MSR. We should streamline the entry and exit formalities and improve foreign exchange management, so as to provide the greatest possible convenience allowed by laws and regulations.

 

4. We will highlight the key projects’ driving force. Key cooperation projects merit our attention as they give traction to the building of the Core Area. We should pool our resources to carry out key projects in areas of infrastructural connectivity, industrial cooperation, maritime security, trade, economic and cultural cooperation, and those key projects will in turn serve as examples and drivers for our work. A reservoir of key projects should be set up to provide follow-up service, and to accelerate pre-establishment effort according to due procedure. A progressive mechanism will be put in place, where approved projects get started, completed projects are in operation and new projects are ready for approval. We should do the coordination work well and guard against risks, so as to ensure substantial results.

 

5. We will strengthen human resources support. Policies should be improved to give preferential treatment to high-caliber personnel. We should vigorously foster and attract interdisciplinary persons with a global vision, a good knowledge of international laws, political and economic rules, and well versed in the political and legal systems of countries and regions along the MSR. We should increase the two-way flow of talents in and out of China, and look to the world for high talents in great demand. We should encourage professionals from institutes of scientific research, of design and planning, and of higher education to participate in our major projects in relevant countries and regions.

 

6. We will strengthen risk-prevention efforts for outbound investment. We should provide businesses with information with regard to the political and economic situation, society and culture, laws and standards, investment projects of countries and regions along the MSR, and issue warnings in a timely manner. We should establish a monitoring and alerting system for outbound investments, follow the progress of these projects, offer guidance for prospective overseas investments, and raise the risk awareness of the businesses and enhance risk prevention.

 

 

attachment:

Scan to view the current page on your phone

error recovery Comment Printing

返回顶部