CGTN: CHINA STRENGTHENS REGIONAL COOPERATION WITH NEIGHBOURS THROUGH TRADE, DIPLOMACY

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTN) has published a new article highlighting the progress and future direction of China's cooperation with neighbouring countries, emphasising the nation's commitment to building a community with a shared future.

The report underscores China’s approach to neighbourhood diplomacy, grounded in the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, according to a statement.

A vivid example of this cooperation is seen in Kunming, Yunnan Province, where a freight train carrying Thai fruits such as durians, rambutans, and mangoes departed via the China-Laos Railway—now a vital corridor for regional trade.

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Since its launch in December 2021, the railway has moved over 50 million tonnes of goods, including 11.58 million tonnes in cross-border shipments, linking China to Laos, Thailand, and other ASEAN countries.

The article coincides with a central diplomatic conference held in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China’s vision for cultivating strong, peaceful, and prosperous ties with neighbouring nations.

The official statement following the meeting described neighbourhood relations as central to China’s national development, security, and overall diplomacy.

China’s efforts to foster regional partnerships have intensified over the past decade. It has signed treaties of good neighbourliness with nine countries, resolved territorial disputes with 12, and developed strategic partnerships with 28 nations and ASEAN. These moves have cemented China’s role as the largest trading partner for 18 neighbouring countries.

Experts quoted in the article, including Guangdong University of Foreign Studies international relations professor Zhou Fangyin and the China Institute of International Studies vice president Liu Qing, emphasised the stability and long-term consistency of China’s diplomatic strategy, particularly as global uncertainties mount.

Liu noted that the integration of domestic and regional priorities is more critical than ever as China works to deepen economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation with surrounding nations.

China has also signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighbouring countries and is aligning the initiative with broader regional development strategies, including ASEAN’s cooperation framework and the Eurasian Economic Union.

-- BERNAMA