Guangxi Positions Itself as Digital Silk Road Hub, Achieving 182% Trade Growth with ASEAN

• 31 December 2024
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Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is stepping up efforts to solidify its position as a key hub for the Digital Silk Road, driving high-quality digital economy growth and strengthening ASEAN cooperation through the China-ASEAN Information Port. Officials announced that the region achieved an impressive 182% year-on-year trade growth with ASEAN in the first three quarters of 2024, exceeding the national average by 12.9 percentage points, fuelled by smoother cross-border data flow​, according to Chinadaily dated​ 6 December 2024.

Zhao Zhigang, Party Secretary of the Guangxi Big Data Development Bureau, revealed that added value in information transmission, software, and IT services surged by 10.8%, contributing 11.79% to Guangxi’s GDP. As a strategic national priority, Guangxi is actively promoting cross-border data flow under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations.

The region has already launched several collaborative initiatives with ASEAN countries. These include hosting the China-ASEAN E-sports Competition, signing a pivotal memorandum of understanding with Laos to enhance digital economy and satellite application cooperation, and unveiling the first China-ASEAN legal model designed specifically for ASEAN countries.

Further bolstering connectivity, Nanning—Guangxi’s capital—established a full-service international communications import and export bureau in July 2024, marking it as China’s fourth city to do so. This development has significantly enhanced Guangxi’s communication and trade links with ASEAN markets.

Looking ahead, Zhao identified two key focus areas for Guangxi’s digital integration:

1. Nanning International Telecommunications Hub: Scheduled to operate by 2025, the hub will develop a robust cross-border industrial ecosystem promoting 26 industries, with a focus on cross-border finance and e-sports. Leading firms such as China Mobile and Huawei are encouraged to spearhead initiatives under this framework.
2. Cross-Border Data Flow Pilot Zone: Guangxi aims to establish a secure and efficient data exchange hub, catering to sectors like logistics and e-commerce. The zone will pioneer solutions for high-frequency, non-sensitive data management, supporting the expansion of cross-border industries.

The Digital Silk Road initiative positions Guangxi as a critical gateway for ASEAN integration, leveraging its strategic geographic location and advancing the digital economy’s high-quality growth. This aligns with China’s broader goals to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation in the digital age.

• Policy and Strategy
• Digital and Smart City