Ahmedabad

Speech at the China (Guangdong) – India (the State of Gujarat) Trade Fair Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong Provincial People’s Government
(September 16, 2015)

Friends, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we are gathered here at the 2015 China (Guangdong) – India (Gujarat) Trade Fair hosted by China’s Guangdong Provincial People’s Government in Ahmedabad, a city steeped in history. Representatives of the trade communities from both sides are enjoying a happy get-together to discuss matters of vital importance to our development. Here, on behalf of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government, please allow me to extend our warmest welcome to all of you for your presence.

Both China and India are amongst the world’s four major ancient civilizations. Having been neighbors to each other for generations, cultural and trade exchanges between the two countries can be dated back for centuries. The pilgrimages to the west for Buddhist scriptures by eminent Chinese monks Faxian and Xuanzang and India’s Kumarajiva and Bodhidharma’s travel to the east to disseminate Buddhism are great testimonies to the history of friendly exchanges between the peoples of China and India. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1950, bilateral friendly relations have seen continuous development and cooperation of mutual benefits has achieved comprehensive progress in all areas. Chairman Xi Jinping’s successful first state visit to India in September last year and Prime Minister Modi’s successful visit to China this May have, in particular, brought the two sides to reach a series of strategic consensus around matters such as building a closer partnership, joining in hands to develop the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The two sides have also sought cooperation in areas like trade, infrastructure, education and culture, urban construction and environmental protection. The “China Energy” and “India Wisdom” are releasing great potentials. Practice has proven that deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation is the objective need of the two countries’ economic and social development and is in the common interests of the peoples of the China and India.

The main mission of my delegation to India is to further implement the consensus reached by our leaders, enhance the friendly exchanges between Guangdong and the state of Gujarat, deepen trade cooperation in trade and investment and promote mutual prosperity and development. As the bridgehead of India’s opening-up program, the state of Gujarat is one of India’s most industrialized and most promising areas, playing a vital role in India’s social and economic development. Guangdong，with the largest population and strongest economy in China，is the pioneer of China’s reform and opening-up effort and has become the most economically active and most internationalized province of China with the highest degree of marketization. So when joining hands in promoting economic and trade cooperation and mutual development, Guangdong and Gujarat enjoy not only a solid foundation but also great opportunities since both are the powerhouse in the process of opening-up and economic development of their respective country.

On September 17th last year, witnessed by Chairman Xi Jinping and PM Modi, Guangdong Province and the state of Gujarat signed a friendly agreement, giving birth to the first sister-province relationship between the two countries and turning a new page in bilateral cooperation. Faced with new situation and new opportunities, it is our sincere hope to join hands on the principle of mutual benefits with our friends in Gujarat and India at large to further expand and improve our cooperation and to promote mutual benefits and win-win for both sides on a higher level. To that end, I would like to propose the following suggestions.

Firstly, join hands in advancing the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. India stands at the intersection of the Silk Road on land and the Maritime Silk Road, along which Gujarat used to be an inevitable stop. Guangdong for its part is one of the starting points of the Maritime Silk Road and the strategic hub of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. To practically promote the One Belt and One Road (OBAOR) development, Guangdong province has worked out the “Implementation Plan for Guangdong’s Participation in the Development of the Belt and Road Initiative”, identifying 68 key construction projects with a total investment volume of 55.4 billion US dollars, covering six industries including the infrastructure, energy and resources, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and service industries. It is our wish to enhance communications in policies and project matching with relevant parties from Gujarat and India at large. Eligible enterprises from Gujarat and India are welcome to participate in relevant key projects and grasp and share the opportunities and fruits made available by the development of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.
Secondly, actively expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Gujarat, traditionally India’s “state of commerce”, boasts of highly developed industries including petrochemical, engineering and automobile manufacturing, biopharmaceutical and IT. Guangdong for its part is one of the most important global manufacturing bases with a relatively complete industrial system and industrial chains. In response to our respective advantages we will increase the import of advantageous products from Gujarat and India at large to continuously expand bilateral trade. Meanwhile, capable Guangdong enterprises will be encouraged to play a part in the construction of all kinds of special economic zones and industrial parks in India. We also hereby sincerely welcome Indian traders and entrepreneurs to Guangdong to invest in trade and participate in the construction of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone and the international cooperation park. All necessary assistance to product promotion, enterprise matching, attending of exhibitions, etc. will be offered to the Indian enterprises so as to further the close cooperation between enterprises from the two counties to ensure mutual development.

Thirdly, enhance infrastructure cooperation in areas such as electricity and transportation. India is taking great initiatives to improve its infrastructure by greatly driving the construction modernization of infrastructure projects such as electricity, highway and railway and is therefore keen on attracting foreign investment in electricity, new energy, and transportation, etc..

Guangdong has a lot of enterprises with high management level and expertise in urban planning, energy supply, construction and operation of public transportation systems. It is strongly hoped that enterprises on two sides will enhance communication so that they can complement each other and jointly participate in relevant infrastructure programs. Indian and Gujarat governments will be highly appreciated for their assistance and support to Guangdong enterprises and for their efforts in expanding areas for investment and in creating a sound legal environment.

Fourthly, expand cooperation in automobile, medical and pharmaceutical and information technology industries. These are India’s pillar industries with complete supporting industries and strong international competitiveness. These are also pillar industries that Guangdong has prioritized where complete industry chains and some very competitive leading enterprises have been fostered We are looking forward to deeper trade and investment cooperation in automobile and components, pharmaceutical R&D and market development and software so as to join in hands in improving the development level of respective industries, exploring international markets and creating new growth points for bilateral industrial cooperation.

Fifthly, to continuously deepen cooperation in tourism industry. Guangdong is the province in China with the largest number of outbound tourists, which reached 76.6 million person times in 2014. India is highly attractive to Guangdong tourists and it is our pleasure to learn that India has started to issue online visa to Guangdong citizens. We very much hope that the tourism industries on both sides will further their cooperation in tourism promotion, route development, adding new airline routes, etc. to promote exchanges of tourists and mutual understanding and friendship between our two sides.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, as a special and important friendly neighbor of China, Indian is an important partner to Guangdong. The moment we stepped on this ancient land, we were immediately deeply impressed with its profound history, fascinating culture and sincere friendship, which strengthened our confidence and resolve in enhancing bilateral cooperation. Today, we have in our delegation 50 leading enterprises and industry associations, engaged in many areas including electronics, information communication, household appliances, new energy, pharmaceutical, agriculture, construction materials, smart city and infrastructure. Today will see the on-site signing of contracts for some of mature projects. Afterwards, business matching will be held for many industries such as pharmaceutical, ICT and infrastructure. I sincerely hope that today’s event will bring more business opportunities for both sides and become a milestone in Guangdong’s cooperation with Gujarat and India at large. It is my belief that, with joints efforts from governments, industrial and commercial communities and all sectors of society from both sides, we will together inherit past traditions, break new grounds for the future and write a new chapter of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

I wish this event a complete success, health and good luck to all participants and a brighter future of cooperation between Guangdong and Gujarat and India at large.

Thank you very much.