東博會主題國：十載星光熠熠，前行不忘初心

□ 文/本刊記者 黎敏

東博會主題國：十載星光熠熠，前行不忘初心

□ 文/本刊記者 黎敏

“相聚到永久，風雨并肩走，看東方我們同聲唱，我們永遠是朋友。”當會歌《相聚到永久》第一次在八桂大地上響起，中國—東盟博覽會也第一次綻放在世人面前。14年前，東博會從零開始，許許多多個“第一次”令人難忘：有第一次推出“魅力之城”活動，第一次舉辦農業展，也有第一次建立主題國機制。

從2007年第4屆東博會開始推出的主題國機制，到2017年正好是一個輪回。十年勠力同心，主題國機制已成為東博會11國共辦機制的有力保障；十年星光熠熠，歷任主題國政商要人云集，活動大放異彩。在主題國機制下，東盟各國不僅有了“合唱”的舞臺，也有了“領唱”的機會，站在東博會的大舞臺上，中國—東盟合作共贏的“主題曲”正越唱越響亮。

第12屆東博會主題國泰國副總理與中國企業CEO圓桌對話會

你好，東博會主題國

由中國總理倡議并得到東盟10國領導人普遍歡迎；由中國與東盟10國經貿主管部門及東盟秘書處共同主辦，這些標簽讓東博會自創辦之初，就具備了極高的規格及11國共辦的特色。2006年第3屆東博會上，時任中國國務院總理的溫家寶及東盟10國國家元首、政府首腦的悉數出席，更是讓該屆東博會成為歷屆東博會里“陣容”最強大的一次。

也是在2006年，第3屆東博會高官會上各方達成共識，為充分發揮東盟各國參與東博會的積極性，讓各具特色的東盟10國能充分展示各自的魅力與商機，從第4屆東博會起，實行主題國機制，即每屆東博會確定一個東盟國家作為主題國，按照東盟國家國名的英文首字母順序依次出任，主題國國家領導人將率團出席當屆東博會。文萊是東博會首個主題國。

當第4屆東博會如約而至，伴著悠揚的特色音樂演奏，主題國文萊在其“魅力之城”——斯里巴加灣展館舉行了隆重的開館儀式，時任中國國務院副總理曾培炎與文萊王儲比拉親自為展館揭牌。

主題國作為該屆東博會的重點推介國家，會期除了安排主題國領導人出席“魅力之城”（商品館）的開館儀式外，其領導人也將代表東盟方在東博會開幕大會上致辭，主題國部長級的官員則將受邀主持東博會開幕大會。

根據官方統計，前13屆東博會共有63位中國和東盟國家領導人、2700位部長級貴賓出席。其中中方領導人包括現任中國國家領導人習近平、李克強、張高麗等。而榮任主題國的東盟國家，其政府首腦也大多會親自率團出席。各國領導人共赴盛會，不僅是東博會共辦共贏的重要體現，也為雙方經貿合作提供了有利的政治環境和機制保障。

為了重點推介主題國獨特的貿易投資環境、優勢和商機，東博會期間還舉辦主題國專場推介會、主題國領導人與中國企業CEO圓桌對話會等經貿活動，以增進中國—東盟政商界的高端對話，密切商界合作。而在國家形象展示上，主題國依托“魅力之城”專題，精心推出獨具特色的文藝演出和文化交流活動。作為禮遇，主題國在“魅力之城”展區的展位選擇及相關活動安排也將獲得更多便利。

通過這些高規格、多元化的主題國活動，10年來歷任主題國在東博會的大舞臺上，不僅收獲了各界的鮮花掌聲，也收獲了沉甸甸的合作碩果。

春華秋實，為主題國點贊

中國自1991年與東盟正式建立對話關系以來，始終堅定地支持東盟一體化，支持東盟共同體建設，支持東盟在區域合作中的中心地位。這種對東盟中心地位的支持，不僅貫穿于中國—東盟合作發展的進程中，也反映在了東博會的各項機制中。

東博會通過高官會、主題國等機制，11國共商、共辦、共贏的機制早已深入人心。特別是榮任主題國的國家，不僅在東博會的籌備與舉辦過程中能夠深度參與，在項目合作上，也滿載而歸。

2011年馬來西亞出任第8屆東博會主題國時，馬來西亞總理納吉布親自率團出席。開幕大會當天，納吉布總理與時任中國國務院總理的溫家寶共同見證了兩國政府簽署中馬欽州產業園區合作會議紀要，并親自為園區揭牌，翻開了中馬兩國合作共建產業園區的新篇章。而在為主題國量身定制的“馬來西亞總理納吉布與中國企業CEO圓桌對話會”上，現場簽約的合作項目就達100億美元。

另據統計，第11屆東博會，新加坡簽約項目8個，是上屆簽約項目的4倍，項目個數為東盟國家之最。在開幕大會上，人們不僅見到了新加坡總理李顯龍，也見證了廣西北部灣國際港務集團公司分別與新加坡國際港務集團（PSA）、太平船務有限公司（PIL）簽署戰略合作協議，在航運、碼頭及物流等領域展開全面深入合作。新加坡大華銀行集團也與中國國際貿易促進委員會續簽合作備忘錄，以重點支持能源、基礎設施、信息技術等企業。這一年，新加坡是東博會的主題國。

“越南總理阮春福9月10日至15日訪問中國，這是今年初越共十二大換屆以來，越南政府高級領導人首次訪問中國，阮春福11日在中國廣西南寧出席第13屆中國—東盟博覽會，今年也是越南首次成為這一展會的主題國。”越南《民智報》在其2016年9月的一篇報道中這樣寫道。而據越南工貿部數據顯示，第13屆東博會是越南參與度最高的一次，其在東博會上有超過250個展位，展示面積超過5000平方米，參展規模位列東盟國家首位，僅次于中國。

在主題國機制的保障下，歷任主題國在東博會上大放異彩、收獲滿滿，各國領導人也紛紛為東博會點贊。第9屆東博會主題國緬甸的時任總統吳登盛，在當年開幕大會上曾表示，東博會在推動中國與東盟的友誼和貿易方面起著至關重要的作用。“中國—東盟博覽會、中國—東盟商務與投資峰會，已經成為了一個穩固的、成功的平臺，推動了東盟和中國之間的經濟貿易交流以及自由貿易區的發展。”作為累計參加東博會次數最多的政要，柬埔寨首相洪森如此評價。

不忘初心，升級綻放

在主題國機制設立時，中國—東盟自貿區尚未正式建立，建設“一帶一路”、開展國際產能合作等倡議也還未提出。而10年后的今天，中國—東盟合作已從“黃金十年”邁向“鉆石十年”，作為服務中國—東盟合作的有效公共平臺，東博會亦與時俱進、加速升級。在此基礎上，東博會主題國機制的內涵也變得更加豐富。

自2015年起，東博會先后在主題國泰國、越南舉辦了東博會巡展。東博會巡展這一新形式，不僅讓東盟國家的客商，特別是中小企業可以在“家門口”對接中國商機；也讓主題國在自己的主場上，以更多樣的視角、更真切的體驗，全方位展示其國家形象及投資環境。在巡展舉辦的過程中，主辦方還積極調動媒體力量，對主題國進行大量報道、采訪主題國高層領導人，借助名人效應，積極宣傳主題國，提升東博會的國際影響力。

據中國—東盟東博會秘書處秘書長王雷介紹，東博會已確定從2017年起，每年在主題國舉辦東博會巡展。2017年5月4～6日，東博會文萊展將在文萊斯里巴加灣拉開帷幕。“東博會‘一主多專、巡展并行’的辦展格局已經初步形成。”王雷秘書長說道。

除此之外，東博會于2016年首次在會期外舉辦了東盟國家國別投資介紹會，主題國越南專場投資介紹會備受關注。從會期到會前、會后，隨著東博會服務主題國各項活動周期的不斷延展，主題國的收獲也有望更加豐富。

10年精彩有約，前行初心不忘。當我們回顧主題國機制推出的10年歷程，會發現我們所處的時代在變，全球經濟發展的形勢在變，中國—東盟合作的方式在變。世界在變，但東博會作為中國—東盟自貿區發展“助推器”的定位沒變，東博會促進中國—東盟全方位合作的目標沒變，東博會堅持共商共辦、讓每個東盟國家共享其發展紅利的初心，未曾改變。

·聯系編輯：313464302@qq.com

The Country of Honor mechanism for CAEXPO has been established for 12 years since the 4thCAEXPO in 2007. Thanks to 10 years of concerted efforts, the mechanism guarantees the Expo can be jointly organized by China and ASEAN countries; it has brought together government and business representatives from ASEAN member states, which provides ASEAN member states with not only a stage for chorus but also opportunities to play the role of chorus leader. With such a cooperation mechanism, CAEXPO delivers increasingly thriving win-win cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Hello! Country of Honor!

The initiative of setting up the Country of Honor mechanism was proposed by then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and was actively echoed by ASEAN state leaders. The mechanism has turned the Expo into a high-caliber one with distinctive ASEAN features. The 3rdCAEXPO in 2006 gathered then-Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and heads of states or governments of 10 ASEAN member states.

How to keep the Expo high caliber and make sure that state leaders from 10 ASEAN member states will attend the CAEXPO? How to make ASEAN member states participate in the Expo as masters and to present their charms and business opportunities? The expectation from all sides is higher with each passing day as CAEXPO develops increasingly.

The consensus was reached by high level officials at the 3rdCAEXPO in 2006 while the mechanism started in 4thCAEXPO: Every CAEXPO will determine and designate one of ASEAN countries to be the Country of Honor in country names’ English alphabetical order. Brunei Darussalam is in the frst turn to be the Country of Honor. At the 4thCAEXPO, Brunei, as the Country of Honor, held the launching ceremony in “City of Charm” — Bandar Seri Begawan Exhibition Pavilion. The then Chinese Premier H.E. Zeng Peiyan and His Royal Highness Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah unveiled together the nameplate of the pavilion.

In terms of activities for Country of Honor, the state leader of the country of will be invited to attend the opening ceremony of City of Charm (commodity pavilion), to address at the opening ceremony of CAEXPO on behalf of ASEAN side and to deliver a speech on the CABIS. Besides, the ministerial offcials from the Country of Honor will be invited to host the open ceremony of CAEXPO.

According to the official statistics, previous 13 Expos gathered total 63 state leaders and 2,700 ministerial offcials from ASEAN member states and China. In particular, participating state leaders from China include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. The leader delegation from the Country of Honor headed by the head of country will attend the opening ceremony. The Country of Honor mechanism will not only indicate the win-win cooperation but also provide advantageous political environment and mechanism guarantee for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

To mainly introduce the trade and investment environment, advantages and business opportunities of the Country of Honor, there will be trade promotion activities like theme country promotion conference and roundtable dialogue by ASEAN state leaders and Chinese enterprises’ CEOs, thus enhancing the high-level dialogue between bilateral government and business community and other commercial cooperation. To promote the country image, the Country of Honor will organize wonderful distinctive artistic performance and cultural exchanges themed on “City of Charm”. However, the Country of Honor will enjoy preferential conditions in terms of the choice of “City of Charm” exhibition areas and the exhibition, transport, and customs clearance of product.

Thanks to an array of high-caliber and diversified theme country activities for 10 years, fruitful achievement has been gained in China-ASEAN cooperation.

The mechanism witnesses fruitful cooperation achievements

Since the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations between China and ASEAN in 1991, China has long been supporting the centrality of ASEAN, the development of ASEAN community and central role of ASEAN played in the ASEAN-China cooperation, which has been manifested by all mechanisms for the Expo.Since the establishment of the Country of Honor mechanism, the Country of Honor not only gets deeply involved with the preparation and convocation of CAEXPO but also delivers fruitful cooperation projects.

Malaysia, as the Country of Honor in 2011, sent a delegation headed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to attend the CAEXPO. During the ceremony, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and then-Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao witnessed the signing of Minute of Meeting for China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park by both governments, which chartered a new chapter for the joint development of industrial park by two sides. At the roundtable dialogue by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and CEOs from Chinese enterprises, cooperation projects worth US$ 10 billion were signed on the spot.

When Singapore was the Country of Honor at the 11thCAEXPO, Singapore signed eight projects with China, about four times of that at the previous Expo, according to the statistics. On the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed Beibu Gulf Port Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with PSA and PIL respectively, in order to deepen cooperation in shipping, port and logistics. UOB has inked the MOU for cooperation with China International Trade Promotion Committee with focus on supporting companies involving energy, infrastructure, and IT.

“Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited China during September 10-15, 2016. It is the frst time for Vietnamese highlevel government leader to visit China since the convocation of 12thVietnamese Communist Party Congress; Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the 13thCAEXPO on September 11, 2016 in Nanning, Guangxi, when Vietnam was the Country of Honor for the first time,” said Dan Tri, a Vietnamese newspaper. According to the statistics by Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vietnam owned over 250 booths with area more than 5,000 square meters, higher than that on CAEXPO. Vietnam’s scale of participation is larger than any other ASEAN member states, only second to China.

With the guarantee of the mechanism, satisfying achievements have been gained in past years and praises was received from state leaders of ASEAN member states and China. At the 9thCAEXPO when Myanmar was the Country of Honor, then Myanmar President U Thein Sein said that CAEXPO has been playing a significant role in boosting Myanmar-China friendship and trade cooperation. “CAEXPO and CABIS has become a stable and successful platform for ASEANChina economic and trade exchanges and the development of CAFTA,” said Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, as the state leader with the most times of presence on CAEXPO.

Keep upgrading while staying true to original will

Ten years ago when the Country of Honor mechanism was set up, CAFTA was not established; nor was the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative and industrial capacity cooperation. Today, China-ASEAN cooperation has evolved from a golden decade into diamond decade when CAEXPO as an effective platform has upgraded timely to meet today’s diversifying demands. On such a basis, the Country of Honor mechanism has become richer in content.

Since 2015, CAEXPO itinerant exhibitions were successively held in Thailand and Vietnam. Such a new type of exhibition is more convenient for ASEAN business, especially for SMEs, to access opportunities to cooperate with China; meanwhile, the national image and investment environment of theme countries can presented in multiple perspectives and more concrete conditions. By active participation of media, a great many reports on theme countries and high-level offcials’ interviews were made to improve the visibility of CAEXPO worldwide.

Mr. Wang Lei, Secretary General of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, introduced that CAEXPO itinerant exhibitions will be held annually in the theme country since 2017. On May 4-6, the CAEXPO (Brunei Exhibition) will kick off in Bandar Seri Begawan.

In addition, introduction conference for investment policy in ASEAN countries has been frstly held in Vietnam outside the conventionally fxed date for CAEXPO, which received much attention. The theme country is expected to acquire much more achievements with the extension of activity cycle.

Keep upgrading while staying true to original will. CAEXPO will as always serve as the promoter of China-ASEAN cooperation in all dimensions and adhere to the original will that every ASEAN member state can share the development dividends through joint consultation and convocation.

CAEXPO Country of Honor Mechanism: To Move on with a Decade-Long Successful Practice

Written by Li Min / Translated by Mao Yuye