The CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee launched the proposal on formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), as well as the long-range objectives for economic and social development for 2035 on Dec 14.

It put forward that Guangxi should accelerate the construction of the China-ASEAN Information Port, advance digital connectivity, build a "digital Silk Road," and create a new hub for digital economic cooperation with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to Lin Jiming, deputy director of the Guangxi Big Data Development Department, construction of digital infrastructure in Guangxi has been advanced in recent years and the development of the digital economy has also been promoted.

A batch of leading digital enterprises like Huawei, Tencent, Alibaba, Inspur, and Jingdong have settled in Guangxi, boosting the development of the region's manufacturing and information technology application innovation industries, said Lin. It will help build an industry chain, with an annual output of 500,000 PC terminals and 100,000 servers.

According to the proposal, Guangxi will also take an active part in the formulation of the China-ASEAN rules and standards in the digital field, as well as the construction of the ASEAN smart city network.

Lin noted that Guangxi would strengthen information sharing, exchanges, and cooperation with the ASEAN countries in the areas of economy and trade, education, medical care, ecological and environmental protection, tourism, culture, disaster prevention, as well as maritime rescue.

The region would also comprehensively develop a digital pilot free trade zone, promote the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in Western China, and accelerate the building of the China-ASEAN E-commerce Common Economy, added Lin.