The resort city of Sanya on the southern coast of Hainan Island held its 2nd Southeast Asia-China science forum dedicated to the promotion of international projects in the cultural, humanitarian as well as trade and economic spheres. This was reported by the Sanya Daily newspaper.
According to the newspaper, the event was held both in person and online. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Renmin University of China, Nanjing University and the China Southeast Asian Studies Association took part.
The central topic of the forum was multilateral cooperation in accordance with the provisions of the One Belt, One Road initiative, as well as the enhancement of scientific and technological cooperation between the countries of the region with the involvement of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the newspaper notes. The event also discussed such important issues as China's foreign policy strategy in the face of major changes in the international arena and the development of ocean resources.
In recent years, several research facilities have been established in Hainan to explore opportunities to expand cooperation between China and countries in the region. Hainan is expected to play an increasingly important role in Beijing's interaction with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. They account for a significant share of China's foreign trade turnover.
Hainan enjoys an advantageous geographical position in the region and has a large untapped potential in the field of transport communications. The central government of China plans to actively involve the province in the projects of the 21st century Maritime Silk Road initiative. Among the important areas of cooperation that are expected to promote economic growth and stability are cooperation with Southeast Asian countries in fisheries, implementation of joint programs to develop public education, environmental protection and coordination of efforts to conduct effective rescue operations at sea.
