CHONGQING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The volume of freight transport via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor cross-border highways soared with a growing number of trucks involved in the first two months of this year. During this period, a total of 903 truck trips transported goods worth about 683 million yuan (99.2 million U.S. dollars), a surge of 502 and 625 percent year on year, respectively, according to the highway logistics base of Chongqing Municipality in southwest China. Launched in April 2016, the cross-border highway freight service provides safe and timely delivery of goods, thus further promoting trade between western China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A truck departing from Chongqing, which crosses the border via the land checkpoint of Mohan in Yunnan Province, takes four days to arrive in Vientiane, Laos, traveling about 2,800 km. Prior to the cross-border highway freight service, it took about a month for cargo to reach ASEAN countries via water transport. The foreign trade of Chongqing, an inland city on the fast track of China's new round of opening up, hit a record high of 815.84 billion yuan in 2022, up 2 percent from 2021. Source: Xinhua

A China-Europe freight train fully loaded with daily necessities, machinery, clothing and glass left the Alashankou Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday, and will arrive in Małaszewicze,Polandin about 14 days. As of March 21 this year, the number of China-Europe freight trains leaving and entering China via the port has surpassed 30,000, carrying more than 1.35 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of goods. At present, 100 China-Europe freight train routes pass through Alashankou port, transporting more than 200 kinds of goods to reach 19 countries including Russia, Poland and Belgium. Alashankou is China's important westbound port and the closest railway port to the European Union, with cross-border freight trains via the port accounting for more than 30 percent of the total number in China. Source:Belt and Road Portal

From January to March 14, a total of 924 China-Europe freight trains and 97,828 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods were handled at the Chinese land port of Manzhouli in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, registering a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent and 19.8 percent respectively. As the largest land port in China and an important port for China-Europe freight trains located on the China-Russia border, Manzhouli saw the passenger transport growing steadily since the resumption of passenger customs clearance in January 8, 2023. Source:Belt and Road Portal

Policies will build on the development achievements of the past five years China's two sessions set the policy environment for future development by building on the assessment of previous policy progress. The Government Work Report highlighted China's achievements in deepening reform, expanding opening-up policies, and encouraging foreign investment over the past five years. Achievements also included initiating mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation by participation in a number of multilateral trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. This agreement is particularly important because it provides a multilateral platform for China's engagement with regional trade partners. This will become a bulwark against efforts by some to contain and encroach on China's economic growth and trade relationships. One of the RCEP functions is to stabilize the foundations of the emerging digital economy. These have been significant areas of advancement and achievement. The Chinese economy, capital markets, and economic structure have matured and become more sophisticated. These changes provide an attractive foundation for the new development of foreign investment in capital markets as well as a foundation for stable growth. China's growth is not a pale imitation of the West. The economic structure and drivers have a different emphasis, with less value being assigned to greed. This is a foundational philosophical difference that underpins socialism with Chinese characteristics. The objective is for new economic development to contribute to common prosperity and to reduce and avoid the extreme concentration of wealth seen in other economies. These developments have also created a platform for rapid advancement into a digital economic framework which further enhances international trade cooperation. Progress accelerated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a fundamental change to economic efficiency by eliminating transactional barriers in trade and settlement. Already comprehensively integrated into daily life in China, it is easy to miss the significance of these achievements that leave Western digital economic activity behind. The advances in the digital economy help alleviate poverty by providing bank-like access for those who were previously unbanked and left at the mercy of money lenders. At the same time, the achievements are so significant that they have triggered an unfavorable response from the United States under the Joe Biden administration. Instead of viewing this as a competitive environment, the administration sees it as a threat to the US' supremacy. Rather than try to emulate these advances in the digital economy, the administration has chosen to impede and sabotage this progress with the CHIPS and Science Act and other barriers. China's expansion of the number of free trade zones is also important as an enabler for the physical economy. The reduction in items on the negative list further enhances trade activity. However, it is the application of the digital economy in these zones that is truly groundbreaking. The use of China's digital currency and blockchain certification ensures authenticity and reduces counterparty risk. Trade settlement is accelerated, removing the time and carried risks associated with cross-border trade settlement by using the old Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication system. Although not directly mentioned in the Government Work Report, investors cannot ignore the potential for the US to use its power to hinder and sabotage China's digital economic development because it sees China's growth as a threat to its own supremacy. The actions by the US impose a new level of risk that foreign investors must consider. This risk is countered as the world is showing growing reluctance to fund the US' ever expanding debt. This will put increasing pressure on the way capital investment flows globally. Recent discussions with the United Arab Emirates are an early indication of the role that China's digital currency may play. China's continued support for multilateral trade solutions aims at win-win results. These include high-quality joint construction projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Although often dismissed by ill-informed Western commentators, the initiative continues to expand its record of success. It provides an avenue for genuine cooperative trade and enables new trade relationships. The import and export volume of goods to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has increased by an annual average rate of 13.4 percent. Six new free trade agreements were signed or upgraded over the past five years, and the proportion of import and export of goods with free trade partners increased from 26 percent to about 35 percent. These agreements are evidence that China is acting as a major, responsible country that supports the work of the United Nations and the concept of multilateral polarity. The Global South has a champion in China when it comes to adjusting the unfair balance that currently exists in world trade relationships and with rules that are designed to protect some participants but not others. China's commitment to open trade brings benefits to the Global South and stands in contrast to the previous exploitative approaches. The author is an international financial technical analyst and a former national board member of the Australia China Business Council. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. Source: China Daily Global

SHENYANG, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A train carrying cargo containers from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries, including Laos, Vietnam and Japan, departed from the Chengtong Trade Port Free Trade Zone in Shenbei New District, Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Saturday morning. The train marks the opening of a new international freight route for RCEP member countries through Shenyang to Europe via entrepot trade. With rich rail resources, the Chengtong Trade Port connects different logistics routes, such as China-Europe freight trains and the China-Laos Railway, which facilitates the collection and transportation of general trade goods, cross-border e-commerce goods, transit goods, and bonded goods at the same venue. Shenbei New District plans to construct a 20,000-square-meter RCEP enterprise service center, expanding its focus from a single logistics channel to a comprehensive industrial layout and supply chain, according to local authorities. Source: Xinhua

BANGKOK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The stable recovery of the Chinese economy is set to give a strong boost to Thailand's economic recovery, a Thai economist has said. China's economic activity is recovering and helps support Thailand's economy, especially in sectors of export and tourism, Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, deputy managing director of Thailand's Kasikorn Research Center, said in an interview with Xinhua. After China optimized its COVID-19 response, the research center revised Thailand's 2023 growth forecast from 3.2 percent to 3.7 percent, and expected recovering demand from China to shore up Thailand's exports, which would be affected by a global slowdown this year, said Nattaporn. "China would be the only major market that we forecast a positive export growth for Thailand this year," while the overall export growth is likely to remain negative, she said. In its latest forecast, the research center expected Thailand's overall exports to shrink 0.5 percent year on year in 2023, but exports to China are likely to expand 3 percent or more from one year earlier, she said. In U.S. dollar-denominated terms, Thailand's exports, a main driver of the country's growth, contracted for the fourth consecutive month in January. The country's export volume rose 5.5 percent in 2022, according to the country's official data. Nattaporn said an influx of Chinese tourists would also help lift Thailand's tourism sector, another growth engine of the Thai economy, which used to contribute about one-fifth of the country's GDP. Nattaporn is upbeat about China's growth outlook this year, saying that China's growth target of around 5 percent set for 2023 is achievable and China has sufficient policy tools to address downward economic pressures. Compared with other countries, China has plenty of fiscal resources as its public debt to GDP ratio is not high. On the monetary front, China's inflation rate remains low, and its central bank still has ample policy space to maneuver to support its economic growth, she said. China's inflation remained tame, with the consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rising 1 percent year on year in February. The country announced the target of keeping the CPI increase at around 3 percent in this year's government work report. To brave economic challenges, China has announced a spate of pro-growth policies in the government work report, including a 3-percent deficit-to-GDP ratio, a priority given to the recovery and expansion of consumption, 3.8 trillion yuan (about 552 billion U.S. dollars) of special-purpose local government bonds, and continued tax and fee cuts to relieve the burdens for businesses. Source: Xinhua

On January 16of 2023, 69 deputies from Shaanxi Province were elected to the 14th National People's Congress(NPC) in accordance with the law at the first session of the 14th Shaanxi Provincial People's Congress. Lu Jianzhong, Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce and Chairman of Tang West Market Group, was re-electedas a deputy to the NPC since his last term beginning in January 2018. Before that, Chairman Luwerea member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)for three terms. Since his election as a deputy to the NPC, Luhas been earnestly performinghis duties. He has made suggestions on hot issues such as the innovative development of cultural industry, encouraging and supporting the private economy, and high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. He put forward the Proposal on the Enactment of the Law on Promoting the Digital Economy.A total of 24 proposals were suggestedin areas such as giving full play to the private sector to promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the high-quality development of the private economy, whichprovide detailed reference for relevant ministries and commissions onformulatingpolicies and regulations. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated into relevant planning or policy-relateddocuments.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Türkiye’s southern border at 4:17 a.m. local time (0917 GMT+8) on February 6. The earthquake was the most devastating one in Türkiye since 1999, wreaking havoc on at least 10 provinces. The death toll climbed to 2,316 in Türkiye and 711 in Syria, and the number of injured rose to 13,293 in Türkiye and 1,431 in Syria as of February 6 local time, according to Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and Syrian Ministry of Health. Left: damaged buildings in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras province, Türkiye on February 6. Right: rescue efforts at a collapsed building in Malatya, Türkiye on February 6. (Source: Xinhua News) On February 6, Chinese president Xi Jinping sent messages of condolences to the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The message reads as follows: “I was distressed to learn of the powerful earthquake which has caused heavy casualties and property losses. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to express our deep condolences to the victims and the injured, and their families. We are confident that your people will recover from the disaster and rebuild homes in no time under the leadership of your administration.” SRCIC, with its 218 organizational members from 82 countries, has several Turkish members. Upon learning the severe earthquake in Türkiye, SRCIC chairman Mr. Lu Jianzhong and the Secretariat sent condolences to Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, Mr. Adnan Akfirat, Chairman of the Turkish-Chinese Business Development and Friendship Association, and the Çalık Group. The Chinese government swiftly launched emergency humanitarian assistance mechanism and provided 40 million RMB of emergency assistance to Türkiye at the first batch, including sending out urban rescue teams and medical teams, and providing relief materials. China also coordinated the delivery of relief supplies to Syria and a speedy implementation of ongoing food aid projects. Meanwhile, Chinese people from all walks of life extended a helping hand to Türkiye and Syria. The Red Cross Society of China donated 200,000 US dollars to both countries respectively. Chinese people in the disaster-hit areas are raising donations of tents, blankets and other relief supplies. It is learned that China's Rescue Team of Ramunion, a civilian rescue organization, has arrived at the disaster area this morning to carry out rescue. Political leaders of many countries expressed their sympathy and support to Türkiye after learning the massive casualties caused by the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake. We hereby call on all SRCIC members and the international community to provide assistance and support within their capacity to the affected people in Türkiye and Syria. Source: Xinhua News

On November 8th, as a prelude to the 2022 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, the WIC Member Representative Symposium was held on the venue in ZhejiangProvince. This is the first symposium since the establishment of WIC International Organization, aiming to enhance exchange and cooperation between the organization and its members, and among the membersthemselves. Zhuang Rongwen, chairman of the WIC Organization Committee,attended and addressed the symposium. The eventwasmoderated by WIC Secretary GeneralRen Xianliang. More than 30 member representatives from international organizations, leading global Internet companies, industry authorities and associations listedthe symposium. Lu Jianzhong, chairman of the Board of Directors of Tang West Market Group and chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce,discussed with other representatives about the opportunities and challenges brought by the development of global internet and the prospects of WIC. Zhuangpointed out that as a common platform for the global Internet family, the WIC originates in China but belongs to the world. He hoped that members would contribute their suggestions to the Conference, participate initsconstructionand support its development. Members need to build consensus on ideas, focus on new challenges and problems in cyberspace, and align the efforts of international community to resolve differences.Thedeepeningintegration of digital economy and real economy, and coordination of global industrial and supply chainsare the focuses in developing the digital economy. Members shouldboostscientific and technological innovation, strengthen international collaborationand global cooperation, and exchangevisions and applications of Internet-related technology. Members should deepen cultural exchanges, promote cooperation in internet media, and strengthen the construction of internet culture. Members shouldalsofocus on leading global cooperation, pursuingcommon prosperity for all mankind, deepeningcommon interests and promoting mutual benefit in the Internet sector. LuJianzhongbriefed thethree platformsbuilt by Tang West Market Group, namely the Datang Chain, the Hainan International Cultural and Art Trading Center,and the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). The platforms are part of the contributing efforts tothedigital cultural industry,the cultural cause,and the construction of Digital China.He suggestedbuildinga multi-chain, cross-chain and internationally-oriented blockchain infrastructure for cultural and art transactions and a cultural digital Silk Road, which can be based on theDatang Chain, a national blockchain anda pilot project of copyright innovativeapplication. The international resources and industrial advantages of SRCICcould also contribute to this cause. The proposal outlines a cultural digital platform for artworks trading and exchange among various countries. The platform integrates functions including ownership validation, authentication, pricing, sequencing and confirming. Together, they resolve the three pain points of the industry - appraisal, valuation and standardization of artworks. This endeavor will boost international cultural and art exchanges and transactions, and enhance mutual learning among civilizations along the Belt and Road. The WIC International Organizationwas established on July 12 this year. It is an international, industrial and non-profit social organization set upvoluntarily by enterprises, organizations, institutions and individuals committed to facilitatingthe global Internetdevelopment. It was registered in China and headquartered in Beijing. Source: World Internet ConferenceWeChat Official Account

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is delighted to welcome Maria Fernanda Garza as its new Chair. After serving as ICC First Vice-Chair for the past two years, the small business owner from Mexico succeeds Ajay Banga as ICC Chair, making her the first woman to hold this position. Maria Fernanda Garza has been elected ICC Chair for a period of two years following a meeting of the ICC World Council, held yesterday in Mexico City. The ICC World Council additionally elected Philippe Varin, Chair of ICC France, as ICC First Vice-Chair, and Nayla Comair Obeid and Harsh Pati Singhania as ICC Vice-Chairs. Ms Garza is CEO of Orestia, as well as SRCIC Vice Chair, a small manufacturing home improvement solutions company based in Mexico, with exports to the USMCA region, Latin-America and Asia. A lifelong advocate for small and medium businesses in her home country and around the world, she participated 19 years in the Mexican Employers' Association (COPARMEX) and served as Vice-President for four years. In her new role, Ms Garza will continue to drive ICC's mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Commenting on her election, Maria Fernanda Garza said: "Given the magnitude of the downside risks facing the global economy, it's absolutely vital for us to have a united business voice committed to openness, fair competition and the enablement of peace through international trade.” "In a period that has been characterized by weak international cooperation, I believe that ICC has a vital role to play in harnessing the expertise, innovation and networks of the private sector to secure an effective response to major global challenges. Simply put, our mission to enable peace and prosperity through trade has never been more vital — and, indeed, more urgent." Ms Garza's interest in improving the business environment made her a prominent business leader at a young age. She was the ICC Regional Coordinator for the Americas and a member of the governing body of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. An ICC Executive Board member since 2014, Ms Garza became the first woman to be elected as ICC First Vice-Chair in 2020. A strong advocate of business ethics and corporate governance standards, Ms Garza was Chair of ICC Mexico until June 2020 and is a former member of the International Affairs Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Labour and former member of the National Advisory Committee of ACLAN. She is also a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Alliance AliaRSE and was a member of the Corporate Responsibility Network of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: "In her new capacity as Chair, Maria Fernanda's experience and insights as CEO of a successful small business will further reinforce the work we do and help ensure that ICC reaches the whole of the international business community. She has already contributed greatly to ICC's work at the global, regional and national levels, and we are very happy that she will remain a strong champion for ICC and challenge us to push ahead to promote more inclusive growth and prosperity." Effective 14 June 2022 for a two-year term, Ms Garza succeeds Ajay Banga in the role. We take this opportunity to thank Mr Banga for his outstanding leadership of our organisation during the past two years, a particularly challenging and uncertain time for businesses worldwide. Mr Banga will continue to serve on the ICC Executive Board as Honorary Chair. The ICC World Council also elected six new members of the ICC Executive Board for three-year terms, strengthening gender, ethnic and geographical diversity in ICC's leadership. Holger Bingmann, Managing Partner, Bingmann Pflüger International GmbH (Germany) Rebecca Enonchong, CEO, AppsTech and Chair of Afrilabs (Cameroon) Marjorie Yang, Chairwoman, Esquel Group (Hong Kong) Lama Al Sulaiman, Shareholder and a Board Member of Rolaco Holdings, KSA, and LUX (Saudi Arabia) Nicolas Uribe, Chair, Bogota Chamber (Colombia) Justin D’Agostino, CEO, Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong) Fredrik Cappelen, Chair at Dometic and Transcom (Sweden), and Candace Johnson, Vice-Chair at NorthStar Earth and Space (Luxembourg/United States) are starting second terms as members of the ICC Executive Board. The ICC World Council additionally ratifiedthe election of Nicolas Uribe, President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ICC Colombia, as Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation. His term begins on 1 July 2022. Source: iccwbo.org

SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an and his delegation On April 27, 2022, SRCIC Secretary General Diane Bian held a talk with Lum Wan Liang, Consul General of Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, Loh Kai Yong and Raymond Raman, President and Secretary General of the Xi'an Branch of Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MAYCHAM CHINA). SG Bian first extended welcome to Consul General Lum Wan Liang and his delegation. She pointed out that SRCIC has been committed to building a cooperation platform between governments and enterprises. Despite the suspension of offline activities due to the COVID pandemic, the long-standing cooperation and friendship between SRCIC and its members and partners continues. It is expected that in the post pandemic period, SRCIC and Malaysian Consulate can resume cooperation and share new opportunities for investment and development by co-sponsoring business promotion seminars and other activities. SG Diane Bian and Consul General Lum Wan Liang Although it was only his first visit to SRCIC, Consul General Lum said he had an understanding of it through MAYCHAM CHINA and affirmed SRCIC's achievements since its establishment. Subsequently, he introduced the Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi'an, and said that today's meeting is only a beginning to the many more opportunities to discuss cooperation in depth in the future. The meeting was also attended by Emma Wei, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section I, Alina Cao, Director of SRCIC Membership Center Section II, and Valentina Wang, Deputy Director of of SRCIC Membership Center Section II.

The national "Two Sessions" for 2022 are ongoing in Beijing. The Shenzhen TV created a special program Two Sessions Through an Foreign Eye, inviting internationally influential figures to comment on China's “Two Sessions” from their perspectives. Recently, Mr. Jean-Guy Carrier, Executive Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce and former Secretary General of International Chamber of Commerce, was in for an interview with Zhu Endi, reporter of Shenzhen TV based in Beijing. The transcript of the interview is as follows, Zhu: Our Foreign Minister Wang Yi is holding the annual press conference right now. He mentioned before that it is cooperation that represents the mainstream of the China-US relations. To define the relationship as competition is oversimplification. So how do you think of this? Carrier: I think it's very true because I fervently believe that the world needs more Chinese culture. By that I mean the Chinese way of looking at daily life, and how you deal with living and with developing your economy and so forth, based more on cooperation than on trying to undermine each other or trying to throw tariffs and sanctions at each other. I think all of us in the world will benefit from more of that sort of attitude, being influential in the world. So in that sense, the notion of competition is always going to be there, but I think cooperation is absolutely necessary. Voiceover: Carrier is currently in Switzerland. He observed that when the people of the European continent are worried about a war, China is discussing practical problems faced by the mankind, such as economic development and coping with climate change. Such a sharp contrast made him think. When I follow what Premier Li Keqiang has said and what the People's Congress is discussing, it's such as striking contrast. Because they are talking about vital things for the entire planet like climate change, reducing inequality, the Belt and Road Initiative, and fair development and so forth. And the rest of us are obsessed with a regional war. It is such a striking contrast between that discussion and what is happening here in Europe. Again, it just emphasizes for me the importance of China in the world, and to hear what is being said and what people are thinking in China. Zhu: China has outlined its plan to stabilize domestic economy in this crucial year. So what does it mean to China and to the global economy? Carrier: I think China is becoming an engine for the economy. So we can see that with Covid-19 and all the other kinds of pressures that have been exerted around the world on trade, on investment, on flows within countries etc,. It is perfectly normal for government of China to say we have to pay more attention to our domestic market in this crisis situation. And you know frankly, for the rest of the world, this is also very important. Voiceover: Carrier analyzed that it is realistic and practical for China to set its economic growth target at around 5.5 percent this year given the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties of global trade and investment. I think there are very obvious reasons. First of all, every economy has suffered because of the Covid-pandemic. China is not immune from that. Also there have been so many disruptions in terms of global trade and investment. Again, everyone suffers from that. So what I find encouraging in the government’s target is I think it is realistic, (which) means to set too high a target at this point would be to try fooling everyone, (making them) thinking the world is in better shape than it is at this moment. Zhu: I noticed that you said the target is realistic and practical. In order to achieve this target, what does China need to do? Carrier: What we are all hoping for is that China will reengage with international community. (It will) in fact promote more trade and investment in the world. We see good signs of this. Chinese company is building the biggest automobile electric battery production facility in Germany. So there are encouraging signs of that sort that Chinese companies are continuing to engage in the world, to invest in the world and to work with business people around the world. And I think that is the key to Chinese development.

CHONGQING, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The volume of freight transport via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor cross-border highways soared with a growing number of trucks involved in the first two months of this year. During this period, a total of 903 truck trips transported goods worth about 683 million yuan (99.2 million U.S. dollars), a surge of 502 and 625 percent year on year, respectively, according to the highway logistics base of Chongqing Municipality in southwest China. Launched in April 2016, the cross-border highway freight service provides safe and timely delivery of goods, thus further promoting trade between western China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A truck departing from Chongqing, which crosses the border via the land checkpoint of Mohan in Yunnan Province, takes four days to arrive in Vientiane, Laos, traveling about 2,800 km. Prior to the cross-border highway freight service, it took about a month for cargo to reach ASEAN countries via water transport. The foreign trade of Chongqing, an inland city on the fast track of China's new round of opening up, hit a record high of 815.84 billion yuan in 2022, up 2 percent from 2021. Source: Xinhua

A China-Europe freight train fully loaded with daily necessities, machinery, clothing and glass left the Alashankou Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday, and will arrive in Małaszewicze,Polandin about 14 days. As of March 21 this year, the number of China-Europe freight trains leaving and entering China via the port has surpassed 30,000, carrying more than 1.35 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of goods. At present, 100 China-Europe freight train routes pass through Alashankou port, transporting more than 200 kinds of goods to reach 19 countries including Russia, Poland and Belgium. Alashankou is China's important westbound port and the closest railway port to the European Union, with cross-border freight trains via the port accounting for more than 30 percent of the total number in China. Source:Belt and Road Portal

From January to March 14, a total of 924 China-Europe freight trains and 97,828 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods were handled at the Chinese land port of Manzhouli in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, registering a year-on-year increase of 8.2 percent and 19.8 percent respectively. As the largest land port in China and an important port for China-Europe freight trains located on the China-Russia border, Manzhouli saw the passenger transport growing steadily since the resumption of passenger customs clearance in January 8, 2023. Source:Belt and Road Portal

Policies will build on the development achievements of the past five years China's two sessions set the policy environment for future development by building on the assessment of previous policy progress. The Government Work Report highlighted China's achievements in deepening reform, expanding opening-up policies, and encouraging foreign investment over the past five years. Achievements also included initiating mutually beneficial international economic and trade cooperation by participation in a number of multilateral trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. This agreement is particularly important because it provides a multilateral platform for China's engagement with regional trade partners. This will become a bulwark against efforts by some to contain and encroach on China's economic growth and trade relationships. One of the RCEP functions is to stabilize the foundations of the emerging digital economy. These have been significant areas of advancement and achievement. The Chinese economy, capital markets, and economic structure have matured and become more sophisticated. These changes provide an attractive foundation for the new development of foreign investment in capital markets as well as a foundation for stable growth. China's growth is not a pale imitation of the West. The economic structure and drivers have a different emphasis, with less value being assigned to greed. This is a foundational philosophical difference that underpins socialism with Chinese characteristics. The objective is for new economic development to contribute to common prosperity and to reduce and avoid the extreme concentration of wealth seen in other economies. These developments have also created a platform for rapid advancement into a digital economic framework which further enhances international trade cooperation. Progress accelerated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a fundamental change to economic efficiency by eliminating transactional barriers in trade and settlement. Already comprehensively integrated into daily life in China, it is easy to miss the significance of these achievements that leave Western digital economic activity behind. The advances in the digital economy help alleviate poverty by providing bank-like access for those who were previously unbanked and left at the mercy of money lenders. At the same time, the achievements are so significant that they have triggered an unfavorable response from the United States under the Joe Biden administration. Instead of viewing this as a competitive environment, the administration sees it as a threat to the US' supremacy. Rather than try to emulate these advances in the digital economy, the administration has chosen to impede and sabotage this progress with the CHIPS and Science Act and other barriers. China's expansion of the number of free trade zones is also important as an enabler for the physical economy. The reduction in items on the negative list further enhances trade activity. However, it is the application of the digital economy in these zones that is truly groundbreaking. The use of China's digital currency and blockchain certification ensures authenticity and reduces counterparty risk. Trade settlement is accelerated, removing the time and carried risks associated with cross-border trade settlement by using the old Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication system. Although not directly mentioned in the Government Work Report, investors cannot ignore the potential for the US to use its power to hinder and sabotage China's digital economic development because it sees China's growth as a threat to its own supremacy. The actions by the US impose a new level of risk that foreign investors must consider. This risk is countered as the world is showing growing reluctance to fund the US' ever expanding debt. This will put increasing pressure on the way capital investment flows globally. Recent discussions with the United Arab Emirates are an early indication of the role that China's digital currency may play. China's continued support for multilateral trade solutions aims at win-win results. These include high-quality joint construction projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Although often dismissed by ill-informed Western commentators, the initiative continues to expand its record of success. It provides an avenue for genuine cooperative trade and enables new trade relationships. The import and export volume of goods to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has increased by an annual average rate of 13.4 percent. Six new free trade agreements were signed or upgraded over the past five years, and the proportion of import and export of goods with free trade partners increased from 26 percent to about 35 percent. These agreements are evidence that China is acting as a major, responsible country that supports the work of the United Nations and the concept of multilateral polarity. The Global South has a champion in China when it comes to adjusting the unfair balance that currently exists in world trade relationships and with rules that are designed to protect some participants but not others. China's commitment to open trade brings benefits to the Global South and stands in contrast to the previous exploitative approaches. The author is an international financial technical analyst and a former national board member of the Australia China Business Council. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. Source: China Daily Global

SHENYANG, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A train carrying cargo containers from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries, including Laos, Vietnam and Japan, departed from the Chengtong Trade Port Free Trade Zone in Shenbei New District, Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Saturday morning. The train marks the opening of a new international freight route for RCEP member countries through Shenyang to Europe via entrepot trade. With rich rail resources, the Chengtong Trade Port connects different logistics routes, such as China-Europe freight trains and the China-Laos Railway, which facilitates the collection and transportation of general trade goods, cross-border e-commerce goods, transit goods, and bonded goods at the same venue. Shenbei New District plans to construct a 20,000-square-meter RCEP enterprise service center, expanding its focus from a single logistics channel to a comprehensive industrial layout and supply chain, according to local authorities. Source: Xinhua

BANGKOK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The stable recovery of the Chinese economy is set to give a strong boost to Thailand's economic recovery, a Thai economist has said. China's economic activity is recovering and helps support Thailand's economy, especially in sectors of export and tourism, Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, deputy managing director of Thailand's Kasikorn Research Center, said in an interview with Xinhua. After China optimized its COVID-19 response, the research center revised Thailand's 2023 growth forecast from 3.2 percent to 3.7 percent, and expected recovering demand from China to shore up Thailand's exports, which would be affected by a global slowdown this year, said Nattaporn. "China would be the only major market that we forecast a positive export growth for Thailand this year," while the overall export growth is likely to remain negative, she said. In its latest forecast, the research center expected Thailand's overall exports to shrink 0.5 percent year on year in 2023, but exports to China are likely to expand 3 percent or more from one year earlier, she said. In U.S. dollar-denominated terms, Thailand's exports, a main driver of the country's growth, contracted for the fourth consecutive month in January. The country's export volume rose 5.5 percent in 2022, according to the country's official data. Nattaporn said an influx of Chinese tourists would also help lift Thailand's tourism sector, another growth engine of the Thai economy, which used to contribute about one-fifth of the country's GDP. Nattaporn is upbeat about China's growth outlook this year, saying that China's growth target of around 5 percent set for 2023 is achievable and China has sufficient policy tools to address downward economic pressures. Compared with other countries, China has plenty of fiscal resources as its public debt to GDP ratio is not high. On the monetary front, China's inflation rate remains low, and its central bank still has ample policy space to maneuver to support its economic growth, she said. China's inflation remained tame, with the consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, rising 1 percent year on year in February. The country announced the target of keeping the CPI increase at around 3 percent in this year's government work report. To brave economic challenges, China has announced a spate of pro-growth policies in the government work report, including a 3-percent deficit-to-GDP ratio, a priority given to the recovery and expansion of consumption, 3.8 trillion yuan (about 552 billion U.S. dollars) of special-purpose local government bonds, and continued tax and fee cuts to relieve the burdens for businesses. Source: Xinhua

Editor's note:Daryl Guppy is an international financial technical analysis expert.He has provided weekly Shanghai Index analysis for Chinese mainland media for more than a decade. Guppy appears regularly on CNBC Asia and is known as "The Chart Man." He is a national board member of the Australia China Business Council, SRCIC member organization. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. Hard infrastructure sits at the core of what many people believe about China's economy, so Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent observation that "infrastructure serves as a pillar for economic and social development" confirms their belief. A hard infrastructure build will play a role in economic development, but even more important is the soft infrastructure build. A combination of internal and external factors is at play in pushing these infrastructure efforts into the spotlight. President Xi tied some of the infrastructure focus to the idea of security. Many Western analysts were quick to link this to military security rather than economic and environmental security. In particular, Xi mentioned improving the planning of waterways, the building of coastal and inland ports, and the upgrading of water transport facilities nationwide. He included developing a smart grid along with a series of new green, low-carbon energy bases and fine-tuning the oil and gas pipeline network. These are all related to non-military security and improve the country's capability to cope with extreme situations such as those caused by climate change which is a major challenge to economic security. Mitigating the impacts of floods, typhoons, droughts and protecting arable land are the new security frontiers. Common prosperity and economic security are the foundation of all national security. It's the idea of sovereign independence that cannot be threatened by sanctions, disruption to trade settlement, or interruption to trade routes. Unhackable soft infrastructure is the foundation of the digital economy. Some commentators see this call for infrastructure as a move to save China's economy. These are the same people who have been forecasting the collapse of the Chinese economy for the past 20 years. They fail to see that China has a coordinated approach to breaking through the middle-income trap by developing the digital economy and continuing to improve the physical infrastructure and thus economic benefits are more widely spread. Domestically, the "dual circulation" strategy is designed, which takes domestic development as the mainstay, with domestic and international development reinforcing each other. Sovereign independence of supply chains is a lesson from COVID-19. The infrastructure required to build a digital and clean economy helps to break free of the middle-income trap. The essential objective of "dual circulation" is to develop a robust economy, less reliant on external factors. An escape from the middle-income trap rests on improved productivity and new economic processes. This is a digital economy and soft infrastructure is required to make it work. Innovation is emphasized because new tech underpins the digital economy. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, transformed Western production and economies with his assembly line. It was a new way of using existing resources. New tech is the foundation of the digital economy and China is way ahead in this development than Western economies. Consider a Huawei cell phone. Remove the apps and the phone is just a way to talk to people. The real value of the phone is the software infrastructure that enables WeChat, TikTok, Alipay and others. Their functionality rests on innovation and the soft infrastructure of the digital economy. Externally, the U.S. use of financial market sanctions highlights the need to move away from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) system to ensure sovereign independence in trade settlement. This desire for financial independence suggests that rather than using taxpayers' money this time, China will try to implement new financing methods for infrastructure expansion. Unlike the U.S., China draws on reserves rather than borrowing, but this may change in the future through increased bond issues. These objectives are consistent with recent policy and regulatory announcements designed to attract international capital. This may see greater use of China debt instruments similar to U.S. treasuries. These are infrastructure and project bond issues for domestic and international fund managers. In the longer term, this may lead to the expansion of Chinese capital markets as participants see them as a store of wealth and a finance source rather than an opportunity for short-term capital gain. Essential soft infrastructure development includes improved security of trade settlement, the growth of the digital economy using quantum computing and reduction of business inefficiency. This includes soft infrastructure like the real-time balancing of power grid demands using quantum computing, and optical messaging from satellites. The keywords in Xi's observation are that infrastructure serves as "a pillar for economic and social development." Developing the infrastructure to support and expand common prosperity is the essential foundation of security for any country. Source: CGTN

On the afternoon of April 28, 2022, an international investment promotion Seminar was held by the Chongqing Committee of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the government of Jiangbei District. Themed with Investing in Jiangbei to Gain a Win-Win Future, the seminar engaged representatives from 36 organizations, including related government authorities, business associations and investment companies from 12 countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, etc. Cheng Yao, vice chair of CCPIT Chongqing Committee, and He Yong, member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing Jiangbei District Party Committee and deputy chief of Chongqing Jiangbei District, attended the event and delivered a speech. Vice Chair Cheng Yao delivers a speech SRCIC members including Said Sharif, president of Tajikistan Silk Road International Economic Union and former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan, as well as David Saganelidze, chairman of JSC Partnership Fund and chairman of the Georgia-China Intergovernmental Trade and Economy Commission, were invited to address the seminar via video. Said Sharif addresses the seminar Said Sharif said that as an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road has linked Tajikistan and China and their peoples closely. It has not only served as a vital economic artery, but also a road for friendship and consensus. Tajikistan has created a good business environment and a sound legal system to better protect the interests of investors. At present, dozens of Chinese companies operate in Tajikistan. Tajikistan is always ready to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with China to embrace development and future together. David Saganelidze gives a speech Source: Chongqing Daily, the official website of CCPIT Chongqing Committee, the official WeChat account of Huahe International

On February 22, 2022, The Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce (PSRICC) and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines jointly held an online forum themed "A Memorable Winter Olympic". The participants reviewed the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and shared their personal experiences during the Games. Speaking highly of the grand event, all participants looked forward to a brighter future of China-Philippines cooperation. The forum started with a welcoming speech from PSRICC Francis Chairman Chua, who is also Vice Chairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC). Huang Xilian, Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, delivered a keynote speech. The forum also welcomed speeches from Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, SRCIC Chairman Lu Jianzhong, and Valeriano Floro, Chief of Mission of the Philippine Winter Olympics Delegation and Deputy Secretary General of the Philippine Olympic Committee. More than 200 Chinese and Philippine guests from political, business and media circles attended the forum online. Ambassador Huang Xilian said that after 14 years the Olympic flame was lit again in Beijing, making it the first city in the world to hold both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Committed to a green, inclusive, open and clean approach, Beijing made every effort to overcome the COVID-19 impact and honored its commitment by delivering a simple, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the whole world, fully demonstrating the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together". Ambassador Huang stressed that "Together for a Shared Future" is the common voice of the international community. Only by carrying forward and drawing strength from the Olympic spirit of tenacity, unity and friendship, understanding and tolerance, transcending politics and differences, can all countries meet the common challenges . "Together for a Shared Future" is also the common aspiration of both the Chinese and Philippine people. We hope that with the spirit of strength and courage of the Year of the Tiger, the two countries can continue our friendship solidified during the Winter Olympics and extend and carry forward the Olympic spirit. By working "Together for a Shared Future", we can maintain the development momentum of the partnership between the two countries in the new era, and make more fruitful achievements out of our friendship that lasts a millennium. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said the Olympic Games is "a unique opportunity for countries to bring together athletes from all over the world in friendly competition." He deemed the Games a glorious moment for the host country and its people to show the world its splendid history, and also “a symbol of hope” to the whole world in this third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Locsin extended his salute to all the athletes that participated and his thanks to China and the Beijing 2022 organizing committee. “I am particularly proud of Miller (Alpine skier Asa Miller), who represented the Philippines,” he added. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is now tagged as the most-watched Winter Olympics ever. "We salute China for their successful hosting, overcoming many obstacles from the pandemic, and for promoting winter sports among tropical countries like us," Lopez said. He also pointed out that the Games "is a fitting celebration of sportsmanship, kinship, and solidarity as we collectively recover from the pandemic and open a new chapter in the new normality." The Philippine Minister of Tourism Bernadette Romulo Puyat said that the true Olympic spirit of promoting understanding, unity and friendship among countries was further amplified in the motto of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games - "Together for a Shared Future". It is this spirit and a sense of belonging to the international community that unite all countries. Chairman Lu Jianzhong said that the world is undergoing dramatic changes in the new century. The far-reaching impact of COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to global economic recovery. He said, “But I am confident that the solidarity, cooperation and hope demonstrated by the Beijing Winter Olympics, as well as the passion, joy and friendship brought by winter sports, will give us greater confidence and strong momentum to defeat pandemic and promote global economic recovery. SRCIC is willing to join hands with business communities of all countries. Upholding the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together" , we strive to build a platform for dialogue to advance international economic cooperation, mutual learning and exchanges among civilizations and peoples. We hope to make our contribution to high-quality construction of Belt and Road Initiative and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.” Chairman Francis Chua stated that the Beijing Winter Olympics was one of the major international sporting events held during the COVID-19 pandemic. He extended his congratulations to Beijing, Chinaon becoming the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and on the remarkable contribution made China and the Chinese people. He also recalled on the outbreak of COVID-19, which China provided the Philippines with vaccine assistance, medical equipment and medical teams, expressing that Sino-Philippine relationship will enjoy an even brighter future. Romana, Philippine ambassador to China, congratulated China for delivering a simple, safe and wonderful Winter Olympics to the world as promised. “The Philippines is very proud to be one of the few tropical countries to participate in the event. It is hoped that this forum will become a new starting point for Sino-Philippine friendship dialogue, and that cultural exchanges will continue through sports and other forms.” he said. Mr. Valeriano Floro, Chairman of the Philippine delegation, said that he felt the strict and strong anti-epidemic measures throughout the Beijing Winter Olympics as soon as he stepped off the plane that fully ensured the safety of all participants. The opening ceremony was amazing, the training facilities were well-maintained, the Olympic Village was well administrated, and the Chinese volunteers were warm and friendly. “This is truly an unforgettable experience for us”, he emphasized. On behalf of the Philippine Olympic Committee, he also congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Winter Olympic Games and thanked the host country and its people for their hospitality. The forum was broadcast live on several platforms, includingCHINOY TV, and featured promotional videos and highlights of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Source: Official website ofthe Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce(PSRICC)

Above, Alfredo Morino,theMayor of Manila receives the "Kits of Love" donated by the CCF. Below, some of the "Kits of Love" materials are shown. Entrusted by the Chinese side,SRCIC member PSRICC held a ceremony at Manila City University on December 13 to hand over 2,000 "Kits of Love" donated by China to the Manila City Government. Roberto Morino, the Mayor of Manila received the donation, whichwill be distributed by the city government among public school students. Someone of PSRICC who attended the handover ceremonyfor the hand in handstudent activitiesof the 4th "Belt and Road · People-to-people Connectivity" were,Vice President Jerry Cua,the Diplomatic Sharon Sy, the Diplomatic Bryan Ang, Foundation Chairman of PSRICC and SRCIC Vice Chairman Amb. Francis Chua andhis daughter Dr. Beatrice,DirectorHuang Guojie, andthe Secretary-general Pol Ongkinglok.Attendees are alsoCarlos Arias, Presidentof the Manila City University, And Director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jesus B. Varela, the Director of thePCCI and theManila City University. To implement the speech spiritof President Xi Jinping,at the opening ceremony in the 73rd World Health Assembly Video Conference,titled "Unity and cooperation over the pandemic,Building acommunity of health for mankind, to consolidate the traditional friendship among the peoples of the world, and strengthen the people-to-people friendly, promote the hearts and minds are interlinked, China Charity Federation, China Council For the Promotion of International Exchange for Non-governmental Organizations, jointly carried out the 4th "Belt and Road · People-to-people Connectivity" student Hand in hand donation activity of "Kits of Love". Recommended by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, CCF entrusted PSRICCto coordinate with the Philippine government to distribute the donations to students in the Philippines, so as to make due contributions to the fight against the epidemic. Through the campaign, China donated 2,000 "Kits of Love" to every countryalong the Belt and Road. Each care bag contains: surgical mask, cooling oil, hand sanitizer, oil painting stick, compressed biscuits. All the items were distributed to domestic students to fight the epidemic. Source: PSRICC

Dear SRCIC members, We would like to inform you that "INOV Contacto" is now accepting applications for its International Internship Programme. If you want to strengthen your international team with a qualified, paid intern (whose profile is matched with the job description) during six months, you can take advantage of this programme that begins in January, 2022. "INOV Contacto" is an initiative promoted by the Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency since 1997, with more than 5,800 internships across 1,200 companies worldwide. To find out more and/or apply, click HERE.

On July 6, 2021, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and World Political Parties Summit was held via video link. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, attended the summit in Beijing and delivered a keynote speech. In his speech titled Strengthening Cooperation Among Political Parties to Jointly Pursue the People's Wellbeing, Xi stressed that political parties, as an important force behind human progress, need to set the right course forward and shoulder their historic responsibility to ensure the people's well-being and pursue human progress. He also pointed out that the CPC stands ready to work with world political parties to be builders of world peace, advocates for global development, and guardians of the international order. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, delivers a keynote speech (Source: Xinhua News Agency) The cloud summit gathered leaders of more than 500 political parties and organizations from over 160 countries. Political parties from 100-plus countries set up nearly 200 venues in their home countries to organize their representatives to attend the summit. SRCIC members including the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce (PSRICC), Chinese Southeast European Business Association (CSEBA), Arab-Chinese Cooperation and Development Association, Office of Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, Silk Road Association Alliance members including Latin American Centre of Political and Economics Studies of China (CLEPEC), Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, and SRCIC partner Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Eastern Asia (Beijing) attended the summit. Francis Chua, Vice Chairman of SRCIC and Chairman of the PSRICC pointed out that this year marks the centenary the CPC. For 100 years, the mission of the CPC has been to bring prosperity to the Chinese people. Through decades of arduous struggle, the CPC has achieved one victory after another, profoundly changing the history and destiny of China. The PSRICC is willing to promote the cooperation between the Philippine business community and China. “When we communicate with countries around the world, we will tell them that China is a country that values peace, a country that cares about its people and its neighbors, a country that keeps its word and walks by its word. We will tell the world about China's efforts in promoting global peace and development. That's what we at the PSRICC are doing, and we want to continue to tell good stories about China,”Chua said. The image above is President Xi Jinping delivering a keynote speech. The image below, at left, is President Duterte's video address to the conference. On the right is the scene at PSRICC. Mario Rendulić, president of CSEBA said they will convey President Xi’s ideas to the Croatian people in a suitable way. He hoped that the Croatian leaders will have a deeper understanding of the CPC and draw on it to accelerate Croatia's development in all aspects. He then reiterated his willingness to further promote the Belt and Road Initiative in Croatia in the hope of building stronger ties between the two countries. President of CSEBA Mario Rendulić (R) and President of CSEBA in Asian-Pacific Li Zhenwei (L) attending the online meeting President of Arab-Chinese Cooperation and Development Association Kassem Tofailli(the first row from left) attending the online meeting Chief Representative of Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Eastern Asia(Beijing) Ivan A.Izotov attending the meeting Bekar, representative of Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, congratulated on the success of the CPC and World Political Parties Summit. He expressed heartfelt congratulations on CPC's centenary and wished China continuous progress and development. He said that from the perspective of history, the period of 100 years is very short. But within such a short time frame, Chinese people managed to make unprecedented achievements under the leadership of the CPC.China is an important strategic partner of Georgia, and the two countries enjoyatime-honoredfriendship and close cooperation, which he hoped to continue to deepen and develop in the years to come. Source: People's Daily and SRCIC members