Mayors from China and ASEAN Unite in Nanning to Boost Urban Cooperation

Hey there, globe-trotters!

Imagine mayors from all over China and Southeast Asia coming together in one place to chat about making our cities more open and connected. Sounds exciting, right? That's exactly what happened on Thursday in Nanning, the vibrant capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

At the \"Global Mayors Dialogue – Nanning\" event, leaders from countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam gathered to discuss how to build a community of friendship through urban openness and cooperation.

\"Economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN has grown increasingly close, with bilateral trade volume rising from over $600 billion in 2019 to nearly $1 trillion in 2024,\" said Nong Shengwen, Party chief of Nanning. Talk about growth!

Nong also highlighted that \"the two sides have achieved deep integration of their industrial, supply, and value chains.\" It's like they're becoming best buds in the business world!

Atsaphangthong Siphandone, governor of Vientiane (that's the capital of Laos, BTW), added some inspiring words: \"We understand that friendship is the most valuable aspect of peace and security in a community that will work together to achieve stability, prosperity, and sustainable development by encouraging openness and collaboration between cities.\"

Throughout the dialogue, participants dove into topics like economic cooperation, cultural interactions, and urban governance. They shared ideas on how to make our cities more inclusive, sustainable, and connected.

And guess what? They issued the Nanning Initiative, aiming to deepen cooperation and exchanges between China and the ASEAN countries. This could mean more opportunities for young entrepreneurs, students, and travelers like us!

So, keep an eye out for exciting developments as these cities work together to build a brighter future. Who knows? Your next adventure might just be in one of these thriving urban hubs!