China's ICC Seeks Deeper Ties With ASEAN Via Production Capacity Cooperation

By Samantha Tan Chiew Ting BEIJING, May 11 (Bernama) -- China's International Cooperation Centre (ICC) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is pushing for deeper cooperation with ASEAN members via a production capacity approach. Following China's move to revive the ancient Maritime Silk Road, there will be more collaboration with ASEAN countries for mutual development under the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. Malaysia has forged several partnerships with China including the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and its sister, the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park in Guangxi, as well as the Melaka-Guangdong Maritime Industrial Park. Mutual cooperation examples with other ASEAN countries include a proposal to trade rice from Thailand by rail, while China has also made progress in key projects related to international production capacity cooperation via a high-speed train project with Indonesia, Laos and Thailand. Guo Jianmin, Planning and Communication Division Director of ICC, said China's production capacity offers it an advantage to venture globally while the country has built a platform for cooperation in industrial development. For Malaysia, Indonesia and some African countries, he said, the focus would be on building materials, steel and non-ferrous metals, as well as export of heavy equipment. China's production capacity cooperation is its way to globalisation as well as to connect industries and needs for different industrial development with other countries, which would bring win-win benefits, he said. The approach entails not just the production and export of goods, but also the transfer of the industrial chain to enhance other countries' manufacturing capabilities. This policy also reflects China's strength in world infrastructure and construction as exemplified in its high-speed train, power and solar generation as well as railways, besides being a bid to realise its 'Made in China 2025' plan, he noted. The five-pillar approach comprises innovation; coordination; openness and sharing; green and harmony; and country-to-country cooperation in the value chain. -- BERNAMA