Beijing (TDI): Delegates from China and Indian Ocean nations gathered in Kunming, China, on Sunday for a government-business dialogue, aimed at connecting governments, businesses and financial institutions to strengthen regional integration in the development of the blue economy.
The event hosted more than 200 delegates from 20 nations and global organizations.
Zhao Fengtao, vice chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, presented three points for the dialogue in his address; advocating for consensus building so that governments, companies and financial institutes can work in the same direction; advocating for shared development through the combination of assistance, investment and trade; and advocating for inclusiveness and openness with efforts promoting communication and sharing experience of Chinese modernization, Global Times reported.
The dialogue featured three topics – ocean-based infrastructure, cultural exchange for marine tourism and digital empowerment for the blue economy.
Delegate from Seychelles’ ministry of fisheries and blue economy, Phillianne Ernesta, discussed Seychelles’ focus on cold chain development and processing facilities to boost its rich fisheries resources, which can help the related industry and expand market share.
Chu Yili from China Communications Construction Company Ltd. highlighted the company’s automated port schemes and equipment that have been applied overseas.
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Chu also underlined opportunities for joint development in marine new energy and deep-sea resource exploration.
Director General of Asian Investment and Infrastructure Bank, Rodrigo Salvado, said during the dialogue that the point of the evet is to build bridges between different parties with unique strength.
Papua New Guinea’s Vice Minister for National Planning, Daniel Tindipu, said in the marine tourism session that as an island country, PNG has rich marine cultures, including traditional navigation skills and festivals; and marine tourism allows it to share its story to global visitors.
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Tindipu said that marine tourism creates jobs, improves livelihoods and helps protect local ecology and environment, while proposing regional travel packages to offer diverse experiences.
Such packages can connect Indian Ocean nations together and maximize resources and opportunities for regional countries, Tindipu added.
