The 20th China-ASEAN Expo saw record numbers of events, cooperation projects and investments. Nearly 2,000 businesses, up 18.2 per cent from 2022, showcased their products at the expo. High-tech products such as intelligent equipment became a highlight at the expo. Particularly, Brunei’s decision to purchase 30 Chinese-made airplanes, namely C919 and ARJ21, for more than US$2 billion in total became the biggest deal in the expo’s 20-year history.

The bustling scene at the expo illuminates an emerging trend in China’s trade sector in recent months: Even as Chinese exports face a weakening external demand due to a wide range of factors including profound challenges and rising protectionism in advanced economies such as the US and Europe, China’s trade with emerging markets, including ASEAN and countries and regions participating in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), continues to rise steadily. Meanwhile, high-value, high-quality Chinese products such as new-energy vehicles (NEVs) and construction equipment are becoming new growth spots.

While foreign media outlets have been hyping claims of “falling” Chinese exports or allegations of Made-in-China being “replaced” by other countries and regions, China’s foreign trade remains resilient in the face of external and internal downward pressure, businesses and economists noted. And as exports remain one of the three growth engines of the Chinese economy, high-value, high-quality trade will continue to help stabilize the world’s second-largest economy in the coming months and years, they noted.

Resilience in hardship 

At the exhibition halls of the China-ASEAN Expo, vendors from ASEAN showed a palpable sense of confidence and interest in boosting trade with China, as they showcased various products, which were emptied by visitors. While ASEAN exhibitors focused more on agricultural products and small commodities, Chinese exhibitors focused on high-tech products such as NEVs and robots.

“The world is currently facing an economic slowdown… ASEAN member countries are pinning their hopes on China,” Tan Sri Dato’ Low Kian Chuan, President of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), told the Global Times on Tuesday on the sidelines of the China-ASEAN Expo. “It can be seen from the trade volume that China-ASEAN trade has surpassed the EU. We need China, and China also needs ASEAN. Bilateral cooperation will definitely deepen.”

In the first eight months of 2023, China’s total imports and exports dropped by 0.1 per cent year-on-year to 27.08 trillion yuan, with exports growing by 0.8 per cent year-on-year to 15.47 trillion yuan, according to data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC). However, there were also plenty of emerging trends that point to the resilience and upgrade of China’s trade sector.

From January to August, China’s imports and exports with 152 countries that are participating in the joint construction of the China-proposed BRI grew by 3.6 per cent yearon-year to 12.62 trillion yuan, accounting for 46.6 per cent of China’s total foreign trade. China’s trade with ASEAN, which remains China’s biggest trading partner, grew by 1.6 per cent year-on-year to 4.11 trillion, accounting for 15.2 per cent of China’s total trade. The fall in China’s overall trade during the period is largely due to declines in exports to the EU, the US and Japan, which all face stubbornly high levels of inflation.

In terms of top export products, demand for Chinese-made mechanical and electrical products remained high, as exports during the first eight months increased 3.6 per cent year-onyear. Exports of cars, including NEVs, skyrocketed by 104.4 per cent year-on-year. China’s car exports have made headlines around the globe, with many foreign media outlets predicting that China is set to overtake Japan as the world’s biggest car exporter in 2023.

A slew of advanced technology exhibits was unveiled at the China-ASEAN Expo. The exhibits cover a wide range of products, spanning aerospace, advanced manufacturing, sustainable development, and digital advanced applicable technologies, offering the audience a glimpse of life in the future. The advanced tech exhibition area covers an area of 3,400 square metres, with a total of 124 exhibitors and 345 exhibiting projects on display.

Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said Chinese products still maintain a solid competitive edge even though Chinese exports face challenges such as US’ additional tariffs. Gao noted the challenges will be relatively short-term against the back-drop of the trade competition between China and the US. 

“The core factor affecting China’s trade, namely the competitiveness of Chinese products, has not undergone major changes,” Gao told the Global Times, adding that while the role of exports as a major economic engine is decreasing due to the rise of Chinese consumption, China’s foreign trade still has a vast potential for development.

High-quality development 

New trends in China’s foreign trade also underscored high-quality development, in which more markets have been explored and more Chinese-made high-tech products are getting increasingly popular around the world, analysts noted, stressing that an increasingly optimized trade structure that focuses on emerging markets and industries is more sustainable in the long run.

Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said that one of the biggest highlights of China’s foreign trade is that the trade volume with countries participating in the BRI is rising sharply, which in turn lifts local economic developments and thus demand. In terms of product offerings, China’s exports sector has responded swiftly to demand for the digital economy, green development and other new consumption trends.

“To gauge the global influence of one country’s exports, we still need to see whether it can meet the needs of global economic and industrial upgrading, so the quality of exports needs more attention. China’s exports are still recovering, and this recovery is not only reflected in the quantity,” Zhou told the Global Times. “We cannot just focus on increasing the scale of exports, we also need to improve the quality.”

Amid the rapidly shifting global geo-economic landscape and the domestic industrial upgrade, China has made high-quality development in foreign trade one of its top priorities, and has taken a slew of measures in this regard. In April, the Ministry of Commerce introduced a series of policies to stabilize the scale of foreign trade and improve its structure, including helping automakers establish and improve their international marketing and service systems, and improving foreign trade financing services for medium, small and micro enterprises. These measures have greatly helped boost relevant sectors such as soaring NEV exports.

Another highlight of China’s foreign trade sectors this year is surging exports by private enterprises. In the first eight months, total exports value by private enterprises rose by 6 per cent to 14.33 trillion yuan, accounting for 52.9 per cent of the national total, according to the GAC.

The measures, which also include extensively resuming domestic offline exhibitions, will continue to help enterprises explore more markets. China has held a series of trade fairs this year, including the China-ASEAN Expo and the China International Fair for Trade in Services earlier this month. More are under planning, including the China International Import Expo scheduled later this year in Shanghai, which has become a major event for global trade cooperation that focuses on imports. 

“I have confidence in China. I believe that China has the conditions and capabilities. Moreover, China is not just the world’s largest factory. It can make breakthroughs and cope with the current challenges through its own technological innovation,” Low said. 

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing on 27-28 December 2023. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the conference and delivered an important address. Xi Jinping presented a systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China’s external work on the new journey, and made comprehensive plans for China’s external work for the present and coming periods. I would like to introduce the conference to friends from all walks of life in Myanmar and share some views on promoting the development of China-Myanmar relations.

It was pointed out at the conference that building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Diplomacy. The goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, and the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit; the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges, achieve prosperity for all and usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world. 

To build a community with a shared future for mankind, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations.The purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practised. 

A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. 

China and Myanmar, linked by mountains and rivers, enjoy a profound “Pauk-Phaw” friendship. During President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Myanmar in 2020, the two sides agreed to work together to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. This year marks the 70th anniversary of China, Myanmar and India jointly advocating the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We are willing to implement the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, carry forward the wisdom and experience of China-Myanmar friendly exchanges, practice the Principle of Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit and Inclusiveness in Neighbourhood Diplomacy, and work with Myanmar to continue to implement the outcomes of President Xi’s historic visit to Myanmar, strengthen exchanges of experience in governance, forge synergy in implementing GDI, GSI and GCI, and deepen cooperation and pursue tangible progress in building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future. 

We are willing to work with Myanmar to build the Belt and Road and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor with high quality so as to benefit the peoples of the two countries with more practical cooperation fruits. We support Myanmar in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and will continue to play a constructive role in supporting the peace process in northern Myanmar and jointly maintaining peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border. We will always adhere to the people-centred development approach, deepen China-Myanmar law enforcement and security cooperation, and jointly crack down on cross-border criminal activities such as telecom and online fraud to safeguard people’s lives and properties. We are willing to work with Myanmar to deepen cooperation among Lancang-Mekong, China-ASEAN and other regional mechanisms to create a better homeland for all. 

At the beginning of the New Year, I wish the people of Myanmar a harvest of peace, prosperity and happiness. 

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

A CCORDING to the chronicles, Bagan was founded in AD 107. Anawrahta, the first unifier of Myanmar, established “Theravada, Buddhism” with the help of Buddhist Missionary “Shin Arahan”.

Theravada Buddhism is more of a system of philosophy and practical ethics than a religion, and Buddhism is certainly not a religion.

In the coming October, the Six World Buddhist Forum is slated to take place in the city of Ningbo in east China, Zhejiang Province, with an aim to promote world peace improve the well-being and strength for building a community with a shared future for humanity. The Buddhists, experts, scholars and delegates from about 70 countries and regions around the world shall attend this forum.

Generally, in our childhood, we worship the Buddha, Dhamma and Samga according to traditional Buddhism. In this way, we have been obeying the law, disciplined, and avoiding evil since childhood.

The Five Precepts are the basic moral codes of conduct. Our life would be a truly happy one, and our society would become a much safer and more peaceful place if the Five Precepts were observed in earnest. When we examine the social implications of the Five Precepts, we find that: -

(1) To abstain from taking life (Killing) 

(2) To abstain from taking what is not one’s own by right (Stealing) 

(3) To abstain from sexual misconduct

(4) To abstain from untruthfulness and 

(5) To abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs

From the olden days to today, we all face absolutism, hegemonism, capitalism, neo-colonialism, fascism, terrorism and many wars because of greediness and anger. At least we can avoid many wars and armed conflicts by obeying the noble Buddhist five placepots and taking advantage of peace. So, the Five Precepts always give the destruction of life and the spirit of tolerance.

Remember the three fierce, unyielding enemies, namely, Greed (Lobha), Anger (Dosa) and Delusion (Mogha), which wage war on us.

“Theravada Buddhism advise every person to strive and work hard to achieve his goals, material or spiritual, through his efforts. It teaches every person to be kind and gentle. Buddhists are peace-loving people and have never made war. Today, there is violence everywhere in our society because many people are selfish and lack kindness.

Besides, Buddha’s “Mangala Sutta” gives us a positive Guideline for our life. If we consistently follow it, we shall progress both materially and spiritually; if we follow it, we will progress towards a happy life.

I think that if we all practice the noble Buddha’s “Mangala Sutta”, the world shall get true peace. The blessings that the Buddha enunciated in the Mangala Sutta are thirty- eight in number. If we carefully examine the thirty-eight blessings, we shall find that each is useful in itself and directly relevant to our lives. The first blessing, for example, tells us not to get involved with evil people and allow ourselves to be influenced by their wicked ways. The second one advises us to associate with good people, for such an association would bring us no harm and happiness and property.

May I say that it is the Buddha’s Dhamma that should be studied by one and all for a new insight into all mental issues that affect it?

Nowadays, there is dissatisfaction almost everywhere, and desertification creates ill feelings.

Ill-feeling creates Hatred. Hatred creates Enmity.

Enmity creates war. War creates Enemies. Enemies create Wars.

War creates Enemies and so on in a vicious circle.

Therefore, it is time for us to work and learn how to live the Buddha’s way successfully. Life, like the sea, has its waves of tricks, but the Buddha-Dhamma winds are strong enough to bring us through each wave successfully.

The noble Buddha, who points the way to eternal peace, has said,

“Victory breeds more Enmity and Hatred. Defeat brings humiliation, Frustration and all kinds of Disharmony. If the cause of strife is removed, there will be no more strife and Enmity and thus peace of mind and body will be secured”.

Every day, in a routine way, we may also strive to gain awareness of the Noble Eight-Fold Path, especially Right thought, speech, action, livelihood and effort. Every time our behaviour, which can be based on the moral (Sila), is free from “Lobha” (Greed), “Dosa” (Anger) and “Moha” (Ignorance), we should obey the virtues of loving-kind (Metta) and volition (Cetana) in connection with all social affairs every day.

Every Buddhist always pay homage to five Unique Benefactors,

(1) Gratitudes and dignities of Buddha are infinity. (Budda Guno Anando) 

(2) Gratitudes and dignities of doctrines are countless (Dhamma Guno Anando) 

(3) Gratitudes and dignities of monks have no limit. (Samgha Guno Anando) 

(4) Gratitudes and dignities of parents are beyond. (Mata Petu Guno Anando) 

(5) Gratitudes and dignities of teachers are limitless. (Accariya Guno Anando)

(1) We take refuge in the Buddha 

(2) We take refuge in the Dhamma 

(3) We take refuge in the Samgha 

(4) We take refuge in the Parents 

(5) We take refuge in the Teachers

(1) We observe the precept to abstain from attending to and killing living beings.

(2) We observe the precept to abstain from stealing and trying to spend one’s wealth.

(3) We observe the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct and unlawful cruel indulgence in another’s wife or husband.

(4) We observe the precept to abstain from telling all and from speaking filthy language to hurt part and parcel of another.

(5) We observe the precept to abstain from intoxication and drug abuse.

In conclusion, according to the five processes, our life would be truly happy, and our society would become safer and more peaceful, at least in the world. They will be able to live happily in a way that is genuinely Buddhist.

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar