Zhu Xiaodan delivered a speech in the 10th PPRD Forum on October 12th. He hopes that every member provinces could strive to develop 21st Century Martime Silk Road.

Zhu Xiaodan, the Governor of Guangdong Province, proposed that the member provinces of PPRD could cooperate in developing 21st Century Martime Silk Road during the senior forum.

“As the headstream of Martime Silk Road in ancient time, the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) area connects with Southeast Asia and South Pacific. For China, countries which locate along the Martime Silk Road thus become significant partners in economy and trade.” Zhu said.

In 2013, the total export – import volume between the member provinces of PPRD and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reached 171.8 billion dollars, which accounts for 38 percent in the total export – import volume between China and ASEAN.

In particular, Zhu listed 6 siginificant points that the Development of 21st Century Martime Silk Road program should not ignored. The 6 siginificant points cover cooperation mechanism, transportation, economy and trade, social and cultural exchanges, tourism and marine cooperation.

1. Establishing a cooperation mechanism, which leads the major projects and special plans of the program.

2. Promoting transportation integration, which targets on connecting Guangdong - Hong Kong – Macao with Southwest China and ASEAN countries.

3. Expanding the scope of cooperation in economy and trade. Striving to transform PPRD into an experimental area of China – ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) and establishing a group of economic and trade demonstration parks.

4.Strengthening social and cultural exchanges with countries along the Martime Silk Road, especially in education, technology, health care and sport.

5. Promoting tourism cooperation. Striving to establish the cooperation mechanism for tourist visa facilitation and developing toursit route of Martime Silk Road.

6. Promoting marine cooperation. The member provinces of PPRD should cooperate with countries along the Martime Silk Road in the response of global climate change, marine disaster prevention and mitigation and marine ecological protection.