Global Mayors Dialog in Nanning: Charting New Paths for cultural and Tourism Cooperation
The Global Mayors Dialogue·Nanning commenced on Friday, bringing together mayors and representatives from seven cities across China and Southeast Asia. With the theme of cultural and tourism cooperation and promoting common prosperity of cities, the event highlighted innovative strategies to strengthen regional ties through tourism and cultural exchange.
Representatives from Nanning and Chongzuo in China, Yangon in Myanmar, surat Thani Province in Thailand, Mong Cai in Vietnam, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and Siem Reap in Cambodia gathered to discuss collaborative opportunities.
Nanning’s Vision for Regional Tourism
Guo Wei, Vice Mayor of Nanning, emphasized the city’s achievements in becoming a national tourism hub and a regional international tourism center. “By using culture as the medium and tourism as the momentum,Nanning has made significant strides in promoting regional prosperity,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Nanning plans to deepen cooperation with ASEAN countries by leveraging it’s geographical and cultural advantages. Initiatives include hosting brand activities for cultural exchanges, optimizing services to enhance inbound tourism convenience, and enriching tourism product offerings.
Cross-border Tourism: A New Engine for Economic Growth
Ho Quang Huy, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Mong Cai in Vietnam, highlighted the strategic proximity of Dongxing Port in Guangxi, China, and mong Cai Port in Vietnam, which are just 100 meters apart. “China and vietnam are expanding cross-border characteristic tourism cooperation to create a unique tourism brand and route,” he explained. This collaboration aims to make culture and tourism a driving force for economic cooperation between the two nations.
Celebrating Cultural Heritage
Dato’ Sri Dr. Haji Sabin bin Samitah, mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, underscored the richness of Malaysia’s tourism resources, including its festivals, customary customs, and folk arts. “China and Malaysia are jointly applying to include Lion Dance in UNESCO’s Representative list of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” he shared. This initiative seeks to foster mutual learning among civilizations and create new opportunities for tourism.
Proposals for Future Collaboration
Representatives from Chongzuo (China), Yangon (Myanmar), Surat Thani Province (Thailand), and Siem Reap (Cambodia) presented their visions for cultural and tourism exchanges. These plans aim to strengthen ties between cities in China and ASEAN countries, fostering mutual growth and understanding.
A Success Story in Cross-border Tourism
Qin Qiaozhen, a Chinese entrepreneur, and her Vietnamese husband shared their journey of developing cross-border tourism business. Since 2008, their team has served over 150,000 Vietnamese tourists visiting China, with more than 30,000 person-times of tourists traveling via or to Nanning in 2024 alone.
Key Highlights of the Dialogue
| City/Region | key Contributions |
|————————|—————————————————————————————|
| Nanning, China | Leveraging cultural and geographical advantages to enhance regional tourism. |
| Mong Cai, Vietnam | Expanding cross-border tourism with China to boost economic cooperation. |
| Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia| Promoting intangible cultural heritage like Lion Dance to attract global tourists. |
| Chongzuo, China | Proposing plans for cultural and tourism exchanges with ASEAN countries. |
The Global Mayors Dialogue·Nanning has set the stage for a future where cultural and tourism cooperation becomes a cornerstone of regional prosperity. By fostering collaboration and celebrating shared heritage, these cities are paving the way for a brighter, more connected future.
global mayors dialog in Nanning: Charting New Paths for Cultural and Tourism Cooperation
Table of Contents
In a landmark event, the Global Mayors Dialogue·Nanning brought together leaders from seven cities across China and Southeast Asia to explore innovative strategies for strengthening regional ties through cultural and tourism collaboration. With themes centered on promoting common prosperity and cross-border tourism, the dialogue highlighted shared visions and actionable plans for enhancing regional connectivity and economic growth. We sat down with Dr. Lin Mei, an expert in regional advancement and tourism strategy, to unpack the key takeaways from this groundbreaking event.
Nanning’s Role as a Regional Tourism Hub
senior Editor: Dr. Lin, Nanning’s Vice Mayor, Guo Wei, emphasized the city’s achievements as a national tourism hub and regional international tourism center.Can you elaborate on how Nanning is positioning itself in this regard?
Dr. Lin Mei: Absolutely. Nanning has strategically leveraged its geographical location as a gateway to ASEAN countries. By integrating culture as a medium and tourism as a driver, the city has developed a robust framework for regional collaboration. Initiatives like hosting cultural exchange activities and optimizing inbound tourism services have significantly boosted its appeal as a tourism destination. This approach not only enhances Nanning’s profile but also creates economic spillover effects for neighboring regions.
Cross-border Tourism: A Catalyst for Economic Growth
Senior Editor: Cross-border tourism was a recurring theme at the dialogue. Ho Quang Huy, Chairman of Mong Cai in Vietnam, highlighted the potential of collaboration between Dongxing Port in China and Mong Cai Port. What are the implications of this partnership?
Dr. Lin Mei: The proximity of thes ports—just 100 meters apart—creates a unique chance for cross-border tourism. By developing distinctive tourism routes and branding, China and Vietnam can tap into a growing market of travelers seeking unique cultural experiences. This partnership goes beyond tourism; it fosters economic cooperation, trade, and people-to-people connections, making it a win-win for both nations.
Senior Editor: Dato’ Sri Dr.Haji sabin bin Samitah from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, spoke about promoting intangible cultural heritage, such as the lion Dance.How does this contribute to tourism development?
Dr. Lin Mei: Cultural heritage is a powerful tool for attracting global tourists. By applying to include the Lion Dance in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, China and Malaysia are not only preserving their shared traditions but also marketing them to a global audience. This initiative fosters mutual learning and appreciation among civilizations,creating a rich tapestry of experiences that can drive tourism growth in both countries.
Future Collaboration: Visions from the Region
Senior Editor: Representatives from cities like Chongzuo, Yangon, Surat Thani Province, and Siem Reap presented their visions for future collaboration.What stood out to you in these proposals?
Dr. Lin Mei: The diversity of these visions is truly inspiring. Each city is leveraging its unique cultural and natural assets to propose collaborative frameworks.Such as,Chongzuo’s focus on cultural exchanges with ASEAN countries complements Yangon’s emphasis on past tourism. Surat Thani and Siem Reap are exploring eco-tourism and heritage preservation,respectively. These plans not only strengthen regional ties but also create a mosaic of tourism offerings that appeal to a wide range of travelers.
Success Stories in Cross-border Tourism
Senior Editor: Qin Qiaozhen’s story of developing a cross-border tourism business is remarkable. What can other entrepreneurs learn from her journey?
Dr.Lin Mei: Qin’s success is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. By identifying the potential in cross-border tourism early on, she built a business that bridges cultures and economies. Her story underscores the importance of understanding local markets, building strong networks, and delivering high-quality experiences. entrepreneurs looking to enter this space should focus on creating value-added services that enhance the traveler’s journey while fostering cultural exchange.
