Chapter Two Expanding Opening-up and Inter-regional Cooperation
Hosting the Seminar on the Development of Qingdao China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone
In June 2018，President Xi announced that the Chinese Government would support the construction of China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone（hereinafter referred to as the“SCO Demonstration Zone”）.Since then，Qingdao has formulated the Overall Plan for the Construction of China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone based on the overall national situation of opening-up through strengthening local authorities'sense of mission，highlighting the orientation of local economic and trade cooperation and insisting on high-level planning and high-quality development.On July 24th，2019，President Xi presided over the 9th Meeting of the Central Committee for Deepening Overall Reform of the CPC，and deliberated and approved the Overall Plan for the Construction of China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone，indicating that the SCO Demonstration Zone would be built into a new platform for the B&R international cooperation.
China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone
From August 12th to 14th，2019，at the invitation of Qingdao Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government，RDI organized an expert group for a special investigation in Qingdao and held a series of seminars.At the seminars，the expert group and the local government leaders fully discussed the major issues such as planning，building and developing the“Five Centers”of the SCO Demonstration Zone，namely，“International Logistics Center，Modern Trade Center，Two-way Investment and Cooperation Center，Business Travel and Culture Exchange Center，and Marine Cooperation Center”，and proposed relevant suggestions.
The Seminar on China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao
On August 12th，the RDI expert group conducted an in-depth investigation of the SCO Demonstration Zone，during which the expert group，together with the leaders of Bureau of Commerce of Qingdao and Jiaozhou Municipal Government，as well as relevant leaders of the SCO Demonstration Zone Administrative Committee，held the Seminar on SCO Demonstration Zone to discuss issues such as overall planning of the SCO Demonstration Zone and full play of its location advantages，building of a comprehensive logistics and trade hub，economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges with SCO member states，and cooperation between SCO Demonstration Zone and governments，think tanks and enterprises.Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，presided over the seminar.Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Zukang SHA，President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association and former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN，Dawei ZHANG，Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CCIEE and former Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of Henan Provincial People's Congress，were invited to attend the Seminar.
The Seminar on the Development of Qingdao China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao
On August 13th，the Seminar on the Development of China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone was held in Qingdao，Shandong Province.RDI experts and leaders of Qingdao Municipal Government offered advice and suggestions on how to build a new platform for the B&R international cooperation in SCO Demonstration Zone.At the Seminar，Qingxian WANG，Member of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Qingdao Municipal Party Committee，said that the most critical task of building the SCO Demonstration Zone is to set up a platform as a new pivot for national opening-up in the northern regions of the Yangtze River through“Two-way Complementation between the East and the West，Internal and External Linkage of Land and Sea”in the B&R regions.Qingdao will conduct development with platform thinking，give priority to environmental development with ecological thinking and deepen the strategic cooperation with RDI，so as to build and use the SCO Demonstration Zone well，and make due contributions to the overall landscape of China's opening-up.
Qingxian WANG，Member of the Standing Committee of Shandong Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Qingdao Municipal Party Committee deli-vers an opening speech at the Seminar.
Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，gives a principal report on the economic focus of SCO Demonstration Zone at the Seminar.
HUANG put forward a suggestion about twelve supporting policies for the construction of SCO Demonstration Zone from such aspects as financial opening-up，tax adjustment，customs supervision and flow of factors，providing practical supporting policy suggestions for Qingdao to implement the national top-level design.
Zukang SHA，President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association and former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN，gives suggestions on the exchange mechanism for building the SCO Demonstration Zone at the Seminar.
As suggested by SHA，the SCO Demonstration Zone should be characterized by“Facing SCO”，and set the keynote for building the high-quality，green，open and clean B&R.At the same time，cooperation with third parties shall be carried out to upgrade its level of opening-up，thus promoting the B&R construction worldwide.He said that the SCO Demonstration Zone should establish a close tie with the SCO Secretariat，carry out regular exchanges and visits，and take advantage of the Secretariat to promote the construction of SCO Demonstration Zone.It should also set a special liaison system to establish systematic counterpart liaisons and promote information exchanges and cooperation.
Dawei ZHANG，Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of CCIEE and former Vice Governor of Henan Province，gives suggestions on important factors for building the SCO demonstration Zone into a new platform for development at the Seminar.
As suggested by ZHANG，Qingdao could build the SCO Demonstration Zone into a new space by taking advantages of its location，comprehensive transportation and modern industry，to reflect new ideas，gather new elements，build a new industrial organization and form a new model，thereby building a new platform for development.The new platform should consider the factors of industrial transformation，new challenges of globalization and changes in the new pattern of international economic and trade relations，satisfy the new supplies of industries and the new consumption of residents and strive to build a new supply chain，so as to make the SCO Demonstration Zone a pivot for leveraging the BRI，and enhance the upgrade of China's economy to achieve breakthroughs.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，presides over the Seminar.
ZHAO said that for the construction of SCO Demonstration Zone，we should reach a consensus of opinion，set up a complete discourse system，stand at the height of new globalization in the principle of“Equality and Mutual Benefits”and conduct discussions with SCO member states and the B&R countries on deepening cooperation and sharing benefits following the principle of“Extensive Consultation，Joint Contribution，and Shared Benefits”.
After the seminar，RDI and the SCO Demonstration Zone in Qingdao reached strategic cooperation.RDI would help the SCO Demonstration Zone systematically sort out its requirements for policies and international cooperation，and design specific implementation plans on the issues of“Logistics Pilot，Trade Expansion，Capacity Cooperation，Cross-border Development，and Mutual Interaction”to promote its development.On August 26th，the expert group of the BRI International Think Tank of CASS and RDI jointly completed the Research Report on the Construction of China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone，elaborating such issues as how to give full play to the important role of the SCO Demonstration Zone，how to create a new platform for the B&R international cooperation，and how to better push China to spotlight on the international arena.The report received important instructions from relevant leaders.
Hosting the 2nd Zhuhai Shizimen Finance Week
Hengqin New Area，a special economic zone in Zhuhai，was born and thrives because of Macao，which is consistent with the original plan of developing Hengqin New Area，creating conditions for the diversified development of industries in Macao.Against this background，the cooperation between the two regions with complementary advantages is deepening.Since the Financial Bureau of Zhuhai signed the Memorandum of Zhuhai-Macao Financial Cooperation with the Monetary Authority of Macao in 2018，Hengqin and Macao have coordinated their mutual development，deepened their opening-up and cooperation，accelerated the construction of financial service base with Macao characteristics，promoted the integration of the financial markets of the two regions.The above measures help them complement each other and facilitate their cooperation in an increasingly comprehensive and normal manner.
Jianguo FU，President of Macao Chinese Enterprises Association； Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI； Wu YAN，Vice Mayor of Zhuhai； Chuan YANG，Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of and Director of the Management Committee of Zhuhai Hengqin New Area，jointly launching the 2nd Zhuhai Shizimen Finance Week（from left to right）
The 2nd Shizimen Finance Week in Hengqin，Zhuhai
Wu YAN，Vice Mayor of Zhuhai，delivers a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Shizimen Finance Week.
To support the sustainable development of Macao's financial industry and promote diversified development of its economy，the 2nd Shizimen Finance Week was held on August 19th，2019 in Hengqin New Area of Zhuhai，Guangdong Province.In the Finance Week themed“Finance+Empowering Industrial Integration and Development”，more than 300 financial experts and scholars from all over the country，such as Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Shusong BA，Chief Economist of China Banking Association，Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund and former Director of the Development Planning Department of NDRC，Lihui LI，former President of Bank of China and former Vice Governor of Hainan Province，Zhongmin WANG，former Vice Chairman of National Council for Social Security Fund，and Ruilin SONG，Executive Chairman of China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association gathered in Hengqin to discuss new models of multi-field development in Zhuhai and Macao.The Finance Week was jointly sponsored by the Administrative Committee of Hengqin New Area，BRI International Think Tank of CASS and Macao Chinese Enterprises Association，coordinated by the Financial Affairs Bureau of Hengqin New Area，Financial Service Center of Hengqin New Area and Hengqin New Area Finance Association，and organized by RDI and Huajin Interna-tional Convention & Exhibition Service Co.，Ltd.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，says in her opening speech that Hengqin should take advantage of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao development and gradually develop itself into a pacesetter for China's financial circle.
ZHAO said in her opening speech that Zhuhai-Macao cooperation was undergoing an important transition，and Hengqin should take advantage of the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao to gradually develop itself into a pacesetter of China's financial circle.RDI experts would discuss how to give full play to Hengqin's geographic proximity to Macao to develop financial services and real economy by further deepening Zhuhai-Macao cooperation and exploring new models of multi-field development，providing suggestions for the development of Hengqin's financial industry and Zhuhai-Macao financial cooperation.
Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，suggests Hengqin to build innovative industrial parks and provide policies for international trade in his keynote speech.
HUANG said that the economic data of Hengqin in the first half of 2019 showed it among the top in terms of the development speed nationwide，yet there would be much room for improvement of its international trade target.His analysis held that most of the financial policies issued in Hengqin were related to industrial chain finance.As a free trade zone，Hengqin，with basic industrial chain and trade volume as its development support，could strive to establish innovative industrial parks driven by science and technology，and provide policy space for international trade，including transit trade，offshore trade，exhibition trade，service trade，cross-border e-commerce trade and digital trade，so as to give full play to its function as a free trade zone.
Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund and former Director of the Development Planning Department of the NDRC，gives a report on the advantages of the Greater Bay Area.
XU said that as one of the most vigorous economic regions in China and also one of the regions with the most development potential and innovation vitality，Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area would become a high-level bay area suitable for living and working by adhering to green development and be more attractive to high-end global elements and talents in the future，so that its potential and space for development could be further expanded.
Lihui LI，former President of Bank of China and former Vice Governor of Hainan Province，gives a report on digital currency.
LI said at the Financial Week that digital currency would have a core status in the future competition of global digital economy，and it was worth discussing whether digital currency would restructure the global monetary system.At present，special attention should be paid to the digi-tal currency of a trusted institution.He believed that digital currency may impact the status of sovereign currency and reshape the monetary system.Its hegemonic status would be determined by the coverage area，user scale and real asset scale of the digital currency of trusted institution would determine whether it could gain its hegemony，and its emergence might form a financial system across commercial banks and a centralized infrastructure covering every corner of the world，thus affecting the process of CNY internationalization.
Shusong BA，Executive Director of the HSBC Financial Research Institute at Peking University，Chief Economist of China Banking Association and Vice Chairman of China Society of Macroeconomics，gives a report on the focal point of Zhuhai's financial development.
BA proposed that Zhuhai-Macao should build an important platform to promote overseas CNY transactions with Portuguese-speaking countries，strengthen the linkage between Macao's offshore financial market and Zhuhai's cross-border financial market； Zhuhai-Macao should promote the development of Zhuhai-Macao financial derivatives market by targeting gold and bulk commodities； Zhuhai-Macao should take cross-border financial cooperation as a major approach to shift Macao's traditional business to financial one with its characteristics； Zhuhai-Macao should establish an export credit insurance system and create green financial leasing and digital currency trading.
Zhongmin WANG，former Vice Chairman of National Council for Social Security Fund，gives a report on Zhuhai's financial development.
For Zhuhai's financial development in 2019，WANG proposed that the implementation of the new asset management regulations reflects the two development periods of China's asset management industry，i.e.，the previous period with rapid growth and the future period with high-quality development.Against such background，great changes have taken place in asset management institutions and product channels：1）the establishment of bank financing subsidiary would bring about the conversion of over CNY 30 trillion on-balance-sheet bank assets into off-balance-sheet ones； 2）the mother fund would have great space for development； therefore，the possibility of investment failure might be reduced through its investment to vertically subdivided specialized fund in investment market，and the efficiency of capital utilization and the success rate of investment might be improved through enlarging capital scale； and 3）with the development of digital currency，the trusteeship platform for digital assets had the potential to flourish.In short，all the three areas would bring opportunities to Zhuhai's financial development.
Ruilin SONG，Executive Chairman of China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association，gives a report on the future development of the pharmaceutical industry in Hengqin.
This Finance Week was carried out in the form of“Finance+”to discuss various sessions of“Finance+Tourism”，“Finance+Comprehensive Health”，“Finance+Science & Technology”and“Finance+Culture”.In terms of China's pharmaceutical innovation，SONG pointed out that pharmaceutical innovation reflects the innovation capability and systematic industrial capability of a country，and China has constantly increased its investment in pharmaceutical industry and the R&D of scientific and technological innovation.Chinese enterprises stick to the path of innovation and attach more importance to R&D.Thus Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises keep rising and continuously increase the value of their pharmaceutical R&D.SONG gave a“prescription”for the future development of the pharmaceutical industry in Hengqin：1）it should help Chinese drugs go global under the framework of the B&R by taking advantage of Macao's connection with Portuguese-speaking countries，while establi-shing a drug certification platform between China and EU，especially developing Portugal into a pivot for Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises to enter the European market； 2）Hengqin can establish a pharmaceutical trade platform for two-way declaration and service trade between Chinese medicines and European ones，realizing intermediary trade and offshore trade； 3）Hengqin should establish an international center for pharmaceutical IP right evaluation and trading； and 4）Hengqin should push forward the development of traditional Chinese medicine，set up a center for herbal medicine's standards and evaluation，and display its role in benchmark setting.
RDI experts attending the 2nd Shizimen Finance Week：Ruilin SONG，Lihui LI，Qifan HUANG，Baige ZHAO，Zhongmin WANG and Lin XU，Chuan YANG（from left to right）
Hengqin has explored ideas for the cross-border financial cooperation between Hengqin and Macao，and actively carried out trials and practice as follows：building the Guangdong-Macao Cross-border Financial Cooperation Demonstration Zone（Zhuhai），creating a financial supervision mechanism matching with Macao's，trying to implement a“Single Pass”system，building an insurance innovation industrial park，enriching the financial cooperation between Guangdong and Macao，and improving the matching service level of Macao's financial talents.
Hosting Seminar on Hengqin-Macao In-depth Cooperation and Development
In March 2019，RDI established a strategic partnership with the Administrative Committee of Hengqin New Area（Zhuhai），and set up the RDI-Zhuhai Cooperation Center for the purposes of creating a new think tank platform in Hengqin New Area and setting up a professional institution for strategy and management consultation，so as to give constructive suggestions for optimizing the layout of Hengqin industrial structure and help with its implementation.Meanwhile，the Center allocates project resources for the industrial development of Hengqin and matches financing channels for high-quality projects and high-growth enterprises by making use of the advantageous resources of Hengqin and RDI，so as to help enterprises realize the integration of industry and finance，rapid settlement and growth.
On March 24th，2015，the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee reviewed and approved the General Plan for China（Guangdong）Hengqin Pilot Free Trade Zone，positioning the trade zone as a new carrier to promote diversified development of Macao's economy in a moderate manner.On October 22nd，2018，in an inspection of Zhuhai Hengqin New Area，President Xi pointed out that“the original aspiration of developing Hengqin New Area is to create conditions for the diversified development of Macao's industries.”[1]Hengqin New Area was set up to upgrade Hengqin Free Trade Zone into Hengqin Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics by making use of Hengqin's natural geographical advantage of being adjacent to Macao and Macao's unique advantages of multi-culture and system，thus building Hengqin Free Trade Port into a new model of Guangdong-Macao cooperation under the principle of“One Country，Two Systems”，which was highly relevant to promoting the“Extensive Consultation，Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits”of Guangdong-Macao region and realizing their mutual development.
The Seminar on Hengqin-Macao In-depth Cooperation and Development in Zhuhai
To respond to the opportunities and challenges in the development of Hengqin New Area，at the invitation of Zhuhai Municipal People's Government and Administrative Committee of Hengqin New Area，RDI experts went to Hengqin，Zhuhai on August 17th to attend the Seminar on Hengqin-Macao In-depth Cooperation and Development.In-depth discussions were carried out at the Seminar on“How to Realize the Diversified Development of Macao's Industries and Breakthrough to Realize the Construction of Hengqin Free Trade Zone”，“How to Seize the Opportunity of Cross-border Financial Innovation to Support Financial Development in Macao's Characteristics”“How to Cooperate with Macao in Comprehensive Health，Marine Organisms，Culture and Tourism”and“How to Perfect Macao's Legislation to Make New Breakthroughs in the Hengqin-Macao Integration”.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，chairs the Seminar and delivers a speech.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Yonghang GUO，Secretary of Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee，Yisheng YAO，Deputy Secretary of Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Zhuhai，Xiaoju HE，Secretary of the Leading Party Members'Group of and Director of Guangdong Financial Supervisory Authority，Lihui LI，former President of Bank of China and former Vice Governor of Hainan Province，Zhongmin WANG，former Vice Chairman of National Council for Social Security Fund and Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund，attended the Seminar and took part in the in-depth discussions.
Yonghang GUO，Secretary of Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee and Director of Zhuhai Municipal People's Congress，attends the Seminar.
Xiaojun HE，Secretary of the Leading Party Members'Group and Director of Guangdong Financial Supervisory Authority，expresses his opinion at the Seminar.
Jing NIU，Member of the Leading Party Members'Group of Zhuhai Municipal Government and Secretary of the Party Committee of Hengqin New Area，attends the Seminar.
Chuan YANG，Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of and Director of the Administrative Committee of Hengqin New Area，expresses his opinion at the Seminar.
President Xi repeatedly stressed that“innovation is the key for the construction of Greater Bay Area.”[2]The construction of Hengqin Free Trade Port with Chinese characteristics is centered on system innovation to open a new path based on its alignment with conforming to Constitution of the P.R.C.and the Basic Laws and the spirit of“One Country，Two Systems”through a bold adventure and try.Tough problems of systems and mechanisms should be actively solved，and flexible policy systems，regulatory patterns and management systems in domestic and foreign trade，investment and financing，finance and taxation，financial innovation，entry and exit，etc.，should be further explored，so as to realize the superposition of regional advantages，and further promoting the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，gives his opinion and advice on Hengqin's development at the Seminar.
Lihui LI，former President of Bank of China and former Vice Governor of Hainan Province，provides suggestions on Hengqin's financial development at the Seminar.
Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund，points out the priorities of Hengqin's overall planning at the Seminar.
Ruilin SONG，Executive Chairman of China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association，gives his advice on the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Hengqin.
On September 6th，RDI experts wrote the Research Report on Giving Play to Macao's Unique Advantages and Building Hengqin Free Port with Chinese Characteristics based on relevant investigation and research results，and this report received important instructions from relevant leaders.It analyzes the strategic positioning of Hengqin Free Trade Port，and puts forward suggestions and measures for deepening the Guangdong-Macao cooperation，emphasizing that as a new window for China's opening-up and a new bridge for the in-depth Guangdong-Macao cooperation，Hengqin Free Trade Port will promote Zhuhai-Macao two-way diversified development of their industries and realize more open international deve-lopment at a higher level through“Hierarchical Management”and“Joint Management”.Based in Hengqin，it will radiate its influence on the Great Bay Area，promote all-round strategic cooperation with Macao and Hong Kong，actively deepen cross-strait element interaction，help realize financial development with Macao's characteristics rapidly，and promote the diversified development in Macao's industries.As an application-oriented think tank with Chinese characteristics，RDI has given full play to its service functions，providing think tank support and resource support to promote Macao's integration into the overall B&R development and foster a new Zhuhai-Macao growth pole in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Organizing High-level Consultative Conference on the Opening-up and Development of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
In 2015，President Xi entrusted a new mission to Guangxi to become an international channel to ASEAN and a new strategic pivot for the opening-up and development of Southwest，Central and Southern China and a crucial window for integral connection to the B&R.In August 2019，the State Council issued the Overall Plan of Building Western Land-Sea Trade Corridor，positioning Guangxi's Beibu Gulf as an international gateway port，and further highlighting the key role of Guangxi in the construction of Western Land-Sea Trade Corridor.In the same month，the State Council printed and issued the General Plan for China（Guangxi）Pilot Free Trade Zone，guided by which，Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone would play an important role in unblocking international channels，building a pilot demonstration zone for ASEAN cooperation and a gateway port for western land-sea connectivity.Guangxi should grasp the current historical opportunity to realize the two-wheel-driven development of the central and local governments.
The High-level Consultative Conference on the Opening-up and Development of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Nanning
On September 27th，at the invitation of Party Committee and People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region，a delegation of experts from BRI International Think Tank of CASS and RDI attended the High-level Consultative Conference on the Opening-up and Development of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region held in Nanning.The Conference was sponsored by the BRI International Think Tank of CASS and CCUD，and organized by Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission，Nanning Municipal Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and RDI.Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Junli WANG，Vice Chairman of China Reform Forum，Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund，Rupei QIN，Executive Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region，Huidong ZHU，Vice Mayor of Nanning Municipal Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region，Chenjuan LUO，Member of the Leading Party Members'Group of and Chief Economist of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission，Sujian HUANG，Chairman of Chinese Institute of Business Administration，Xianliang SHI，Dean of the Law School of Beijing Jiaotong University and famous Logistics Expert and Jun YAN，Founder and CEO of AIpark，an RDI platform enterprise，attended the Conference and offered advice and suggestions for the development and planning of Guangxi.
Chenjuan LUO，Member of Leading Party Members'Group of and Chief Economist of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Reform and Development Commission，gives a report on the overall situation of Guangxi's development at the Consultative Conference.
At the Conference，LUO gave a report on the overall situation of Gangxi's development to the RDI experts.Later，representatives of Advisory Committee of RDI shared their views from different perspectives.
Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，gives his advice on Guangxi's opening-up and development at the Consultative Conference.
HUANG predicted that although Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone was the last one to be established among 18 of its kind in the country and could rapidly lead other free trade zones in the next few years in terms of development speed，effect and functions.It can play a special role in promoting China's economy since it is blessed with good timing，good geographical location，and talent advantage.From the perspective of good timing，the purpose of establishing Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone is to be benchmarked against China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement（hereinafter referred to as FTA）.In November 2013，Decision of the CCCPC on Some Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening the Reform was passed at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CCCPC，wherein Chapter VII mentions that the next step of opening is to integrate and participate in bila-teral and regional free trade and various free trade agreements.In order to conform to the free trade agreement，we should establish pilot free trade zones in Shanghai and other places，so that we can conduct trials in the process of full integration into FTA.FTA could realize zero tariff，zero barrier and zero subsidy，with its own specific business environment.At present，10 ASEAN countries realized zero tariff and zero barrier.We should further try to conduct economic activities under FTA business environment.The FTA business environment is established to upgrade and improve development zones and bonded zones instead of comparing with them.Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone should be benchmarked against WTO and FTA，thus realizing its international development under the rule of law.China's 18 free trade zones are all related to FTA.Under such circumstances，China could sign FTA with 10 ASEAN countries and Japan firstly.Only when China signs FTA with other countries can it play its role as a major Asian country； otherwise 60-70% of its economic activities are conducted in isolation.Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone is just another practice of the Decision.At the Conference，HUANG also put forward many suggestions on taxation，finance and trade for the construction of Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone.
At the Conference，Junli WANG pointed out that in the application and innovation of new technologies of smart city，not only small environment such as environmental protection and garbage disposal，but also the big environment，i.e.，optimization and improvement of the overall ecological environment should be taken into consideration； high-tech industries should be introduced into Guangxi to develop its economy and safeguard its ecology at the same time.He also suggested that Guangxi should further demonstrate the feasibility of low-altitude opening and promote military-civilian integration.
Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund，encourages Guangxi to turn its ecological value into a market one at the Consultative Conference.
XU expressed his opinions on urbanization and ecological value in Guangxi.He believed that Guangxi should further lower the threshold for people's settlement in cities to attract more high-end talents.In terms of ecological value，Guangxi should further consider establishing a mechanism to transform ecological value into a market one.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，suggests Guangxi to do research on Guangxi-ASEAN development at the Consultative Conference.
In her concluding speech，ZHAO stressed that Guangxi should do four major researches around the main line of Guangxi-ASEAN development：1）investigation and research on the situations of ASEAN countries； 2）analysis and research on Guangxi's industry； 3）research on cases from which Guangxi can learn experience； and 4）research on current and future policies needed by Guangxi.Apart from the above researches，Guangxi need to analyze and research new technologies and provide training for its government staff to better promote the construction of Guangxi Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Rupei QIN，Member of the Standing Party Committee of and Executive Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region，looks forward to cooperating with RDI for Guangxi's further opening-up and development at the Consultative Conference.
QIN，Member of the Standing Party Committee of and Executive Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region expected to work with RDI in making a top-level design of future opening-up and development of Guangxi based on Guangxi's development needs and Guangxi's current strategic development positioning given by the country to further support its opening-up and development.
Hosting High-level Consultative Conference on Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone
Central & Eastern European Countries are important hubs for the B&R countries and Eurasia. Therefore，it is an important deployment in China's new round of opening-up to take Central and Eastern Europe as an important place for BRI's entry into the European economic circle.
In the process of fully connecting the BRI，implementing the Dubrovnik Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries and promoting the comprehensive cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe，Ningbo，as an important coastal open city of China，takes the lead in“17+1 Cooperation”.Since the official launch of the first“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone in June 2018，Ningbo has achieved a lot of landmark achievements，thus providing powerful momentum to promoting the coordinated development and mutual benefits between China and Central & Eastern European Countries.
On September 4th，2019，RDI participated in the 6th High-Level Think Tanks Symposium of China and Central & Eastern European Countries held in Bled，Slovenia.Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，attended the Symposium and delivered a keynote speech.She pointed out that as an emerging economy in Europe，Central and Eastern Europe is developing rapidly with infinite potential，and China is willing to actively promote“17+1 Cooperation”to help realize the balanced and sustainable development in Europe，benefit the people of Central & Eastern European Countries，share development opportunities with Central & Eastern European Countries，and contribute to the overall development of China-Europe relations.
The High-level Consultative Conference on Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Ningbo
In order to further strengthen the platform advantages of strategic cooperation between Ningbo and Central & Eastern European Countries，comprehensively improve the construction results and service quality of China-Central & Eastern European Countries Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone，optimize the cooperation partnership between China and the 17 Central & Eastern European Countries and EU member states，and strive to realize the national deployment of making China-Central & Eastern European Countries“17+1 Cooperation”an important means for BRI's integration into the European economic circle，BRI International Think Tank of CASS and RDI，at the invitation of Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government，organized an expert delegation to carry out special investigation and research in Ningbo and held the High-level Consultative Conference on Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone on 16th-19th，October.
RDI experts at the High-level Consultative Conference on Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone
At the Conference，Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Baoxing QIU，Counselor of the State Council and former Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the P.R.C.，Ping HUANG，Director-General of Institute of European Studies of CASS，and Zuokui LIU，Director of Office of Central and Eastern European Studies of Institute of European Studies of CASS fully discussed the issues about Ningbo's“Development Positioning，Functional Layout and Key Tasks of the Demonstration Zone under the New Situation”.
Dongyao QIU，Deputy Secretary of Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Ningbo，gives an account on the overall situation of Ningbo's development to the RDI experts at the Consultative Conference.
Shanjie ZHENG，Deputy Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Ningbo Municipal Party Committee，attended the meeting.Dongyao QIU，Deputy Secretary of Municipal Party Commi-ttee and Mayor of Ningbo，delivered a speech.He said that in 2018，Ningbo achieved a GDP of CNY 1.0746 trillion，ranking top among the cities with a GDP of CNY more than one trillion，and accelerated the construction of national platforms such as Ningbo Meishan Bonded Port Area and Ningbo Hangzhou Bay New Area.At the same time，it promoted the B&R construction focusing on Central & Eastern European Countries，and held four consecutive China-Central & Eastern European Countries Investment and Trade Expos.In 2019，it also successfully held major events such as the 1st China-Central & Eastern European Countries Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair.In 2018，the total self-support import and export volume of Ningbo exceeded USD 130 billion，making it the 8th city with foreign trade volume exceeding USD 100 billion in China； its import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce reached USD 109.37 billion，making it the 1st city with the annual import turnover of cross-border e-commerce exceeding USD 10 billion in China.Ningbo would make good use of port resources，give full play to the advantages of opening-up to make solid progress in the construction of the“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone.
When introducing the construction situation of Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone，Guanding LI，Vice Mayor of Ningbo，said that Ningbo would take the cooperation with Central & Eastern European Countries as an important carrier for participation in the B&R and further expand the scope and depth of cooperation between China and Central/Eastern Europe； they planned to make Ningbo the“First Choice”for trade，investment and cultural exchanges between China and Central/Eastern Europe.He pointed out that the current urgent task for Ningbo is to promote the construction of the“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone； the Demonstration Zone should be built into a new hub to promote the BRI's integration into the European economic circle，a new passage to increase the synergy and mutual promotion between the“17+1”Cooperation and the Integration Strategy of Yangtze River Delta，a new platform to carry out practical economic and trade cooperation measures within the“17+1”framework，and a new highland for local exploration and practice of international inter-regional cooperation system innovation.
Qifan HUANG pointed out that Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone is a bridgehead for cooperation between China and Europe.By virtue of customs integration in more than 20 European countries，the business of the Demonstration Zone with 17 Central & Eastern European Countries could be transferred to an entrepot in Europe via Central and Eastern Europe.It is critical for Ningbo as a big port to realize the three-in-one of intermediary trade，offshore trade and cross-border e-commerce trade in the future.
Baoxing QIU stressed in his speech that EU member states are most active in dealing with climate change，so green and low carbon will be the ticket to enter the EU market.The“17+1”countries have large populations and relatively less in resources.Therefore，we must take green development，including green building materials，green buildings，green transportation，green energy and green ecological urban areas as a very important strategy and make efforts to promote ecological green and low carbon cooperation in the Demonstration Zone.
Junli WANG said that，the“17+1 Cooperation”has become an important platform and focus for promoting China-Europe cooperation under the BRI.It is important to adhere to the principle of“Extensive Consultation，Joint Construction and Shared Benefits”to make the B&R a thoroughfare of development，especially to give priority to culture cooperation with Central & Eastern European Countries.In addition，exchanges and cooperation on sports should be carried out with Central & Eastern European Countries.
Ping HUANG said that，the“17+1 Cooperation”is not only an integral part of the B&R，but also an integral part of China-Europe relations.Ningbo should further improve the quality and efficiency of its development，enhance the platform's influence，and focus on major areas and highlights.It is unnecessary for Ningbo to attend to everything or undertake all things.As long as it deals with each cooperative project well and exquisitely in a down-to-earth manner，it can have access to the market of Central & Eastern European Countries and even the whole Europe through the“17+1 Cooperation”platform.
In the concluding speech，Baige ZHAO pointed out that Ningbo“17+1 Cooperation”Economic Demonstration Zone's positioning，i.e.，building new hubs，new channels，new platforms and new highlands，is the key element during its construction.The“17+1 Cooperation”mechanism is a major platform for promoting cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe and a major mission entrusted to Ningbo by the state under the overall situation of opening-up in the new era.As a key open city in China，Ningbo has a new opportunity to promote opening-up at a higher level and serves as a new carrier for Zhejiang Province to build a strategic hub of the B&R through strengthening cooperation with Central & Eastern European Countries.Furthermore，it is a new channel to connect with Central and Eastern Europe and integrate into the world based on the Yangtze River Delta.Located at the junction of the B&R and the Yangtze River Economic Belt，Ningbo is the embodiment of the ancient Silk Road and the node city of the B&R and it should develop its port resources and advantages to the maximum.Ningbo has taken the lead of the B&R construction in China：from the release of the“Maritime Silk Road Index”and the approval from the Zhejiang Provincial Government to the establishment of Ningbo Integrated Pilot Zone for the B&R Construction，to the opening-up guidelines with“1+X”as the framework issued in June 2018，Ningbo has continuously demonstrated its enthusiasm and leading advantages shown in its participation in the B&R construction.Deepening the construction of the Demonstration Zone in Ningbo is an important measure to“Make the Cooperation between China and Central & Eastern European Countries an Important Means for BRI's Integration into the European Economic Circle”.The Demonstration Zone can take the opportunity of the B&R Construction to continuously explore cooperation opportunities with Central & Eastern European Countries，expand cooperation space，and comprehensively enhance its effectiveness of cooperation mechanism，making it a veritable benchmark and model for the joint BRI construction.
On October 31st，2019，RDI organized the expert group to complete the Research Report on the Construction of Ningbo-Central Eastern Euro-pean Countries Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone based on full investigation，research and discussion，and guided the Ningbo Municipal Government to complete the Overall Plan on Comprehensively Improving the Construction of Ningbo“17+1”Economic Cooperation Demonstration Zone，both of which have received important instructions from relevant leaders.The two documents systematically analyze the current cooperation situation between Ningbo and Central & Eastern European Countries under the new situation and the characteristics，problems and challenges faced in construction of the Demonstration Zone，and put forward suggestions on the layout，functional positioning and key tasks of the Demonstration Zone.
Hosting High-level Consultative Conference—Suzhou Restart in the New Era
Facing the current great historical opportunity given by national stra-tegies such as the B&R，development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt，the Integration of Yangtze River Delta and the construction of free trade zone，Suzhou is developing from a factor-driven mode to an innovation-driven one，thus its industrialization and informatization is at a critical stage，which will nurture a new layout for development.However，there are two bottlenecks for its development：1）the local policy dividend is decreasing；and 2）the functions of existing national platforms，i.e.，the coordination mechanisms of China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council and Kunshan Pilot Zone for Deepening Cross-strait Industrial Cooperation are weakening.Suzhou has an urgent need for a new platform at a higher level to promote high-quality economic and social development.In view of this，Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government has actively sought external think tank resources，and sponsored the High-level Consultative Conference—Suzhou Restart in the New Era together with BRI International Think Tank of CASS.The Conference organized by RDI was intended to find out the breakthrough point for Suzhou's development and offer advice and suggestions for its restart with the opportunity given by national strategies.
The High-level Consultative Conference—Suzhou Restart in the New Era
Shaomin LAN，Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Province and Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee，attends the Consultative Conference and delivers a speech.
The High-level Consultative Conference—Suzhou Restart in the New Era was successfully held on November 18th，2019 after an in-depth understanding of Suzhou's development and on-the-spot investigation in the early stage.Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，chaired the Consultative Conference.Representatives of Advisory Committee of RDI Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，Zukang SHA，President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association and former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN，Junli WANG，Vice Chairman of China Reform Forum，Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund and Jing GENG，President of China Cultu-ral Heritage Foundation，delivered keynote speeches.
Shaomin LAN，Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Province and Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee，attended the Consultative Conference and delivered a speech.Yaping LI，Deputy Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Suzhou，Zhenyi CHEN，Director of Suzhou Municipal People's Congress，Weiqiang ZHOU，Chairman of Suzhou Municipal Committee of the CPPCC，and Min ZHU，Vice Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee，attended the Consultative Conference.An in-depth exchange and discussion was carried out on such topics as“How to Cope with Risks and Challenges”，“How to Cultivate New Economic Forms”，“How to Seize the Development Opportunity under National Strategies”，“How to Promote Opening-up and Restart”and“How to Build a High-Level International Cultural Platform”.
Qifan HUANG，Co-Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，gives his suggestions on Suzhou's opening-up and restart to the Suzhou Municipal Government at the Consultative Conference.
In his speech，HUANG suggested that Suzhou，as a typical city and successful epitome of China's reform and opening-up，should maintain its focus and strengthen confidence to actively cope with economic and trade frictions between China and the U.S.and continuously consolidate and expand its manufacturing advantages，so as to build a complete vertically integrated industrial chain cluster.It should also speed up the innovation of its free trade zone and strive to develop service trade； by taking advantage of the free trade zone policy，it should give full play to the demonstration and leading role of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park，and take Suzhou as the main front to promote the establishment of a higher platform and better mechanism for international cooperation as the one between China and Germany.
Zukang SHA，President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association and former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN，provides suggestions on Suzhou's international exchanges and cooperation at the Consultative Conference.
In SHA's opinion，Suzhou should adequately study the complicated political and economic situation in the world today，especially the possible negative impact brought by the economic and trade frictions between China and the U.S.At the same time，it should actively participate in the B&R construction，strive to develop emerging markets and strengthen cooperation with third-party countries to expand new space for opening-up to the outside world.Suzhou should also combine its own advantages to hold outstanding forums following the prominent trends and topics in this era and international research activities，so as to strengthen the ties with WHO and UNESCO，and explore the possibility of cooperation with international organizations.
Junli WANG，Vice Chairman of China Reform Forum，talks about Suzhou's industrial layout in the next stage at the Consultative Conference.
WANG suggested that Suzhou integrate and serve the national strategy from a higher position and with a brighter vision to expand and strengthen its core industries in the new situation of international competition and cooperation.For the industrial layout in the next stage，Suzhou should expand its layout scope and broaden its vision by cooperating with the“17+1”Central & Eastern European Countries and B&R countries.
Lin XU，Chairman of Board of Directors of the U.S.-China Green Fund，gives suggestions on Suzhou's new service industry and green development at the Consultative Conference.
XU held that Suzhou shall seriously consider its relationship with Shanghai by making full use of strategic opportunities brought by the Integration of Yangtze River Delta，so as to realize a reasonable division of labor，mutual cooperation and support.It should also continuously optimize the business environment to enhance the ability for gathering high-quality resources and actively develop new service industries to embrace a new round of dividend for consumption upgrading.All service industries in Suzhou can supply consumers in the entire Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration，and areas such as high-end medical care，tourism and leisure are worthy of exploration and development.In addition，green and low-carbon development will be the future trend and transforming the energy system into this direction will further improve Suzhou's green deve-lopment.
Jing GENG，President of China Cultural Heritage Foundation，offers her advice on Suzhou's cultural development at the Consultative Conference.
In GENG's opinion，Suzhou should pay more attention to the inheritance，protection and utilization of historical and cultural resources，and promote its international influence and reputation in these aspects by holding international cultural forums and shaping well-known cultural brands.
Baige ZHAO，Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI，stresses three principles for Suzhou to follow in the global layout of its future economic development in her concluding speech at the Consultative Conference.
In her concluding speech，ZHAO pointed out that Suzhou should first think highly of global layout of its future economic development by following three principles：1）it should consciously serve the national security strategy in the current complicated international situation； 2）it should unite and deal well with the relations with developed countries in Europe and the U.S.and seek to win at a stable pace； and 3）it should pay attention to cooperation with developing countries，especially node countries of the B&R.Then Suzhou should optimize the regional layout to have coordinated development with Shanghai and strengthen the relationship with other metropolitan circles，and make good use of the national strategic opportunity of the Integration of Yangtze River Delta.Finally，ZHAO mentioned that Suzhou has great potential to deepen and expand its industrial layout.The iterative upgrading of the traditional industrial chain should be strengthened and new technology industries should be introduced in the current layout of four major industries.
Shaomin LAN，Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Province and Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party，says in his concluding speech that RDI can help Suzhou to build a new national strategic platform to better serve its opening-up and restart at the Consultative Conference.
LAN，on behalf of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and the People's Government of Suzhou Municipality，gave a strong affirmation and expressed his sincere thanks to precious suggestions on Suzhou's development proposed by RDI.He said that Suzhou，as the strongest prefecture-level city，has climbed to the top.After entering the new era，it should serve as the“Two Benchmarks”bravely.Think tanks'strength and support were urgently needed to help explore Suzhou's own path with high-quality development，find out new development momentum and coordinates，do more research，exploration and pioneering work in practice，get ready to give answers to the questions which might be raised later，suggest solutions to the problems which might occur later，and boldly explore“No Man's Land”.LAN hoped that RDI would continue to pay attention to follow-up and serve the development of Suzhou，identify its problems，offer advice and help push forward breakthroughs for its high-quality development in the new era，ensuring greater effectiveness of the bilateral cooperation.At the same time，by focusing on opening-up and restart，RDI could help Suzhou speed up the establishment of a new national strategic platform，upgrade functions of the existing platforms，build a broader development stage，and enlarge the integration effect of superposition and interaction of various national and provincial open platforms.
RDI representatives with leaders and administrators of Suzhou at the Consultative Conference
At the High-level Consultative Conference，RDI experts offered advice and suggestions on important issues such as“How to Enhance International Influence and Talent Attraction”，“How to Build itself into a Platform Carrier with a Higher Level of Competence in Combination with Major National Strategies”，“How to Become a National-level Foreign Trade Platform”and“How to Provide Planning for Innovative Development”.After the Conference，two high-quality research reports，namely，Report on Establishment of China New Age Opening-up Demonstration Zone in Suzhou and China-U.S.Relations：Current Situation，Future Trend and Policy Advice were written，providing support for Suzhou's soft power construction and leap-forward economic development.The two reports were submitted to the central government and received important instructions from relevant leaders.
[1] From President Xi's remarks during his inspection of Hengqin New Area on October 22nd，2018，http://gd.people.com.cn/n2/2019/1022/c123932-33460168.html.
[2] From President Xi's instructions to build the Guang Dong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area，http://www.xinhuanet.com/2019-02/21/c_1124146648.htm.