The Secretariat of the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Zhongjing Wang visited a number of connectivity projects in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China between 7 and 9 June 2023, and also briefed officials of the Regional Cooperation Projects Office of the Autonomous Region on MCDF’s mandates and discussed possible areas of cooperation.

Guangxi Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone in Pingxiang City

Deputy Director General of the Department of Finance of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. Daiyu Wang explained that “connectivity” is the core of the strategic priority of the Region. He further added that Guangxi would like to develop itself as China’s gateway to the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and has been making continuous investments in that regard.

MCDF CEO Mr. Zhongjing Wang and Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Department of Finance Deputy Director General Mr. Daiyu Wang at a discussion session

CEO of MCDF, Mr. Wang noted that “We believe it is essential for MCDF staff to have a deep understanding of connectivity investment on the ground.” “We also need to listen very carefully to the voices of project stakeholders to help make projects high-quality and sustainable. It is also very useful for MCDF staff to see how ‘MDB standards’ are adopted by and benefit project stakeholders,” added Wang.

The projects visited by the Secretariat team include the expressway networks supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, Fangcheng Port Project and complementary Pan-Beibu Gulf Urban Development Project supported by ADB, Pingxiang-Dong Dang border area development by both Chinese and Vietnamese sides, initiatives to strengthen business linkages between China and Viet Nam through a comprehensive assistance package including the development of Border Economic Zones supported by ADB, and a road project connecting cross-border tourism development zone between China and Viet Nam supported by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Chongzuo City.