In this era of rapid globalization, cities have become major contributors to international engagement, building links that transcend national borders to foster friendly exchange and cooperation. The Global Mayors Dialogue, held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from January 15 to 18, provided a platform for 12 mayors and their representatives from China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss urban development, trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and ways to deepen regional collaboration. The ASEAN participants came from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The theme of the event, Building a China-ASEAN Community of Friendship: Urban Openness and Cooperation, highlighted how cities can serve as bridges for fostering dialogue and economic cooperation while nurturing cultural understanding.

The Nanning Initiatives, issued at the event, underscore the importance of city-level cooperation in promoting mutual growth, peace and shared prosperity between China and ASEAN countries.

Consolidating connection

Known as China's gateway to ASEAN, Nanning's city center is located just 2.5 hours by road from China's border with Viet Nam. Hosting the event gave Nanning the opportunity to demonstrate its role as a regional hub in promoting economic and cultural exchange and collaboration between China and ASEAN countries.

Hou Gang, Mayor of Nanning, said at the event that the city's greatest strength in promoting openness stems from its focus on ASEAN.

According to Hou, Nanning has fostered three types of connectivity with ASEAN cities: "hard connectivity," referring to infrastructure integration; "soft connectivity," encompassing policy alignment and rule interoperability; and "heart-to-heart connectivity," built on people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding.

These three types of connectivity align closely with the goals of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, which seeks to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. "The successful implementation of the BRI has facilitated high-quality connectivity and exchange between Laos, China, and neighboring friendly countries," said Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor of Vientiane, capital of Laos, at the event. He added that China is spearheading regional economic integration with an open mindset, fostering collaboration between regional and international sister cities through equal and comprehensive consultations.

As China's closest city to ASEAN and a major hub of Belt and Road cooperation, Nanning has developed a robust transportation network connecting with ASEAN cities via road, rail, sea, and air. Notable achievements include the launch of a direct cross-border freight bus service between China and Viet Nam, and the expansion of Nanning Airport, which now operates 15 international cargo routes to 17 cities in 10 countries across South and Southeast Asia. The airport's international cargo throughput for 2024 is expected to have exceeded 100,000 tons.

Currently, Nanning Airport offers direct two-way flights to all 10 ASEAN countries, creating a "four-hour economic circle." "You can have rice noodles for breakfast in Nanning, enjoy coffee in Hanoi (capital of Viet Nam) at noon and savor durian in Kuala Lumpur (capital of Malaysia) in the afternoon," Hou said.

Paving the way for growth

One of the core themes of the event was economic cooperation. The combined population of China and ASEAN countries accounts for a quarter of the global total; their economic output exceeds one fifth of the world's total; and they together contribute over 30 percent of global economic growth, serving as a crucial engine for global economic recovery. In recent years, China and ASEAN countries have seen increasingly close economic and trade cooperation, with growing bilateral trade and deepening integration of industrial, supply and value chains.

Agreements on 14 projects with a total intended investment of more than 3.3 billion yuan ($462 million) were signed during the event, spanning sectors including trade, logistics, education, tourism, and infrastructure. They aim to strengthen cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, facilitate smoother economic exchange and foster shared growth.

According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China last October, China's trade with ASEAN reached 5.09 trillion yuan ($712.6 billion) in the first three quarters of 2024, a 9.4-percent increase year on year. In the first three quarters, China imported agricultural products worth 184.83 billion yuan ($25.88 billion) from ASEAN countries, making the region China's second largest source of agricultural imports. Newly approved imports in 2024, including fresh durians from Malaysia, seafood from Brunei, and coconuts from Viet Nam, have further diversified China's domestic consumption. Meanwhile, ASEAN remains China's largest export market for agricultural products, with Chinese fruit including citrus and pears, as well as vegetables such as garlic and onions, enjoying strong popularity in the ASEAN market.

Supiandi, the mayoral representative of the Indonesian city of Mataram, highlighted during the event that Mataram exports fruit and nuts to several countries, including mangosteens to the United Arab Emirates, cashews to Viet Nam and India, and coconuts to China. He expressed his hope to establish partnerships with cities participating in the event, aiming to jointly promote Mataram's high-quality agricultural products through the "Nanning Channel." 

Building cohesion

At the dialogue, how to integrate diverse populations became a hot topic for discussion, underscoring the importance of creating environments where people from different cultures, traditions and backgrounds can live, work and thrive together.

One example of fostering cross-cultural understanding is Nanning's Melody of Spring 2025 transnational Spring Festival gala, set to be aired on January 27, the day before this year's Chinese New Year's Eve. The gala, which will be subtitled in English, Lao, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai, will be broadcast across 48 media platforms in countries including Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

The annual gala is more than just a cultural exhibition. It serves as a platform for promoting mutual understanding and building stronger connections between China and ASEAN countries through showcasing the cultures of both sides. Its 2024 edition featured special segments highlighting the folk customs of ASEAN countries, allowing audiences to appreciate their diverse traditions.

Wong Chia Zhen, a member of the Executive Council of the Malaysian state of Kedah, underscored the value of the shared cultural ties. "In Malaysia, the Spring Festival atmosphere is alive with red lanterns decorating the streets, and festive night markets offering delicacies like nian gao (rice cakes) and celebratory household decorations," he said. He expressed his hope for future collaborations, emphasizing the importance of these cultural exchanges.

As the permanent host city for the annual China-ASEAN Expo, an annual event aiming at boosting economic and trade ties between China and Southeast Asian countries, Nanning has also continuously cemented its branding as a destination for ASEAN students studying abroad and hosted a variety of international cultural and sporting events. These events not only showcase Nanning's rich cultural offerings but also create lasting heart-to-heart connections among the people of China and ASEAN countries, fostering a sense of shared community and mutual respect.

(Print Edition Title: Bridges Across Borders)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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