The Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest cross-border waterfall in Asia, has become a symbol of the flourishing cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. Nestled between the Chinese mainland’s Chongzuo in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vietnam’s Cao Bang province, this natural wonder now welcomes tourists from both nations through streamlined customs clearance within the cooperation zone.
Since its official opening last October, the waterfall area has implemented innovative arrangements like group bookings, time-limited cross-border travel, and dedicated tour routes. According to Hu Fan, vice chairman of Guangxi, the cross-border tourism cooperation zone is expected to provide valuable insights for high-level opening up and collaboration between China and Vietnam.
This initiative is just one example of the deepening friendship and cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through strengthened people-to-people connections across various fields, mutual understanding and trust are being enhanced, injecting new vitality into the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
The ties between China and ASEAN countries trace back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when Chinese merchants ventured to Southeast Asia for trade. Since establishing official dialogue relations in July 1991, people-to-people exchanges have been the backbone of China-ASEAN relations, advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.
From infrastructure projects to trade partnerships, China-proposed initiatives have significantly contributed to ASEAN’s socio-economic development. Projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), such as the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia, the China-Laos Railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, have boosted connectivity, economic activities, and trade in the region.
Since 2024, China and ASEAN have organized various activities in culture, tourism, education, media, and youth programs. These endeavors tap into the most dynamic and innovative domains of people-to-people exchanges, strengthening mutual understanding and friendship, and playing a vital role in the long-term success of regional cooperation.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Global Mayors Dialogue 2024, set to be held in Guangxi, will bring together leaders from various ASEAN countries and China. They are expected to discuss enhancing ties, accelerating smart city connectivity, and promoting digitalization and digital transformation across the region.
Reference(s):
China, ASEAN see fruitful cooperation in people-to-people exchanges
cgtn.com
