What they say about fifth annual think tank forum

"We plan to promote certain projects based on the forum, such as establishing the China-South Asia and Southeast Asia

think tank alliance to improve communication among think tanks, sharing cooperation results and together promoting practical cooperation and shared learning among related countries. We will prepare to host several bilateral forums after the think tank forum and launch bilateral cooperation studies, including research into the Sino-Thailand railway construction project. We will also put into practice cooperation agreements we will sign with related think tanks at the forum."

He Zukun, head at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences

"Yunnan has cooperated more deeply with countries in Southeast Asia and has held more think tank communication events in recent years. Think tanks play a more important role now, putting forward countermeasures, serving decisions and

helping them to become policies. The think tank forum can strengthen mutual understanding between China and foreign countries. We need to keep expanding think tanks' functions in diplomacy and public opinion guidance."

Ma Yong, head of the institute of Southeast Asian studies of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences

"The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor has great influence not only on the opening-up, cooperation and development of those four countries, but also on Asia's wider economic development. To promote the construction of the corridor, my suggestions are to build a high-level promotion mechanism, to expedite transport connections, to boost

exchanges in areas such as law, regulation, policy making and culture, to increase industrial cooperation, to further tourism cooperation, to promote friendly partnerships across diverse channels and to strengthen risk prevention."

Chen Lijun, head of the institute of South Asian studies of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences

"With China's help, we have done so many things together. And for this think tank forum, I believe we are going to become closer and make China more famous. This is a win-win situation for China and Southeast Asia."

Abdul Rasheed Ali, professor from the Faculty of Arts at the Maldives National University

(China Daily 06/13/2017 page12)