Economic cooperation in the pan-Beibu Gulf region is an innovative idea, first proposed five years ago, where the parties concerned cooperate economically in accordance with their own level of development and needs, for the benefit of all.

With an increase in the amount of, and an expansion in the area of cooperation, everyone is expected to be a winner.

And, the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum is here to build a long-term, open space for research and exchanges.

The participants are growing in their awareness and have reached a consensus on the possibilities for regional cooperation.

The 2008 forum was the first time for the National Development and Reform Commission, the General Administration of Customs, and the Hainan provincial government to join the host group.

The hosts of the 2009 forum were the Guangdong provincial government and commercial bureaus of the countries involved.

In 2010, the China Center for International Economic Exchange joined the hosts, extending the reach of the event.

This showed that it had become a place for government officials, experts, scholars, and the business elite to share insights, look to the future, and promote regional cooperation.

Because of the increase in regional cooperation, the participants are more likely to reach a general consensus, which is expected to help promote the regional economy, have a positive influence on other areas nearby, and develop a new strategy for cooperation.

According to a global competitiveness report from the World Economic Forum, in September 2009, some of the countries of the Beibu Gulf area had already proved to show a stronger, more competitive attitude.

A pragmatic approach to cooperation will allow the region to become even more competitive globally.

Transport has always been a priority in the regional economic cooperation strategy.

The focus is on maritime exchanges, since the sea is an important way to link China and the ASEAN economies.

Using the ports' advantages will mean the rapid development of the entire region, and an important reason for more cooperation.

Close maritime cooperation in the Beibu Gulf region, and the Nanning-Singapore economic corridor, will mean an advanced transportation network that benefits everyone, even emerging industries and markets in the pan-gulf region.

The author is president of the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences and head of the Guangxi Beibu Gulf Development Research Institute.

(China Daily 08/17/2011 page12)