Beibu Gulf Cities to Enhance Economic CooperationMayors of eight major Coastal cities in China's southern Beibu Gulf areas gathered Saturday in Zhanjiang, the largest port city in the areas, to discuss economic and trade cooperation.The mayors pledged that the coastal cities become partners, through breaking regionalism, to reinforce mutual economic exchanges so as to develop the areas into the Beibu Gulf Economic Circle. The area includes parts of south China's Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan Province, while neighboring northern and middle parts of Vietnam. The area is considered one of the most underdeveloped areas in China's coastal regions. Participants of the meeting agreed that they should take the geological advantages of the area as the Beibu Gulf is the only outlet by sea for the Guangxi and Yunnan to get access to Southeast Asia. As the first step to enhance cooperation among them, the mayors agreed to join efforts to tap potentials of the tourism market while encouraging links with cities of Viet Nam. Marine Economy Fair Opens in ZhanjiangChina's " 2000 Marine Economy Fair," opens November 25 in Zhanjiang, the largest port city along the coast of Beibu Gulf in south China's Guangdong Province.More than 5,300 business items are to be presented at this fair, and the total value of the contracts signed so far has reached 6 billion yuan (about 720 million US dollars ), 4.1 billion yuan of which comes from investment, and 2.1 billion yuan from trade items. Chinese Cities on Beibu Gulf Increase CooperationChinese cities on Beibu Gulf Economic Rim have promised to increase cooperation and to build the region into an economic development engine of south China.The pledge was made by officials from Zhanjiang City of Guangdong Province, Haikou City of Hainan Province, and Fangchenggang, Qinzhou and Beihai cities of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regions, who were attending a specially organized forum for cities on Beibu Gulf Economic Rim. The forum also attracted specialists from several Chinese universities and research organizations. |
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