By Fan Junmei in Nanning

A billboard advertising the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation 2009 is erected in the Langdong Central Business District of Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is hosting the 2009 Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum, which groups Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

The main business of the Forum is expected to be discussed at the third meeting of a Joint Expert Group, Chen Wu, Vice-governor of Guangxi, told journalists on August 5.

The theme of the 2009 conference is "Co-build a New China-ASEAN Growth Pole-Expanding Cooperation and Turning Crisis into Opportunities."

More than 400 people will attend the Forum and Nanning, famous for eco-tourism and folk culture, has put great effort into preparations. The streets are decked with huge banners and billboards and the atmosphere is more that of a festival than an economic forum.

Chen Wu, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Guangxi Committee, vice-Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and vice-Director and Secretary General of the Organizing Committee of Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum 2009, addresses a press conference on August 5, 2009.

Three main topics have been designated for discussion; "Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum VS Global Financial Crisis"; "Infrastructure Projects' Construction and Cooperation in Pan-Beibu Gulf Region", and "Cooperation and Development between China Beibu Gulf Area and Other Sub-regions in ASEAN."

Chen said the Forum's themes and topics were targeted at the new situation, new challenges and new opportunities faced by the Forum partners. Against a background of global crisis and economic downturn, the Forum is aiming to promote the Pan-Beibu Gulf area as a major growth area in China-ASEAN economic cooperation.

Chen said sponsorship of the 2009 forum is broader than in previous years, with the Thai Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong Provincial Government participating as co-sponsors for the first time.

A press conference to announce the 2009 Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi, August 5, 2009.

He said the most important session of the Forum will be the Joint Expert Group which will prepare proposals for consideration by Cnhina-ASEAN meetings later this year. The establishment of a Chinese expert team was an important milestone in turning Forum into a practical, working body, he added.

Chen said that despite the global crisis China-ASEAN trade grew from US$202.55 billion in 2007 to US$231.12 billion in 2008. More than 98 percent of that trade was between China and the six other Pan-Beibu Gulf countries.

A journalist from Phoenix TV asks a question at a press conference on the 2009 Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum.

As the major hub for China-ASEAN trade and southwest China's main sea route, Nanning exerts a major influence on surrounding regions, Chen added. The Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum is a vital platform for planning the joint development of China and ASEAN.

(China.org.cn August 5, 2009)