东博会主题国：十载星光熠熠，前行不忘初心

□ 文/本刊记者 黎敏

东博会主题国：十载星光熠熠，前行不忘初心

□ 文/本刊记者 黎敏

“相聚到永久，风雨并肩走，看东方我们同声唱，我们永远是朋友。”当会歌《相聚到永久》第一次在八桂大地上响起，中国—东盟博览会也第一次绽放在世人面前。14年前，东博会从零开始，许许多多个“第一次”令人难忘：有第一次推出“魅力之城”活动，第一次举办农业展，也有第一次建立主题国机制。

从2007年第4届东博会开始推出的主题国机制，到2017年正好是一个轮回。十年勠力同心，主题国机制已成为东博会11国共办机制的有力保障；十年星光熠熠，历任主题国政商要人云集，活动大放异彩。在主题国机制下，东盟各国不仅有了“合唱”的舞台，也有了“领唱”的机会，站在东博会的大舞台上，中国—东盟合作共赢的“主题曲”正越唱越响亮。

第12届东博会主题国泰国副总理与中国企业CEO圆桌对话会

你好，东博会主题国

由中国总理倡议并得到东盟10国领导人普遍欢迎；由中国与东盟10国经贸主管部门及东盟秘书处共同主办，这些标签让东博会自创办之初，就具备了极高的规格及11国共办的特色。2006年第3届东博会上，时任中国国务院总理的温家宝及东盟10国国家元首、政府首脑的悉数出席，更是让该届东博会成为历届东博会里“阵容”最强大的一次。

也是在2006年，第3届东博会高官会上各方达成共识，为充分发挥东盟各国参与东博会的积极性，让各具特色的东盟10国能充分展示各自的魅力与商机，从第4届东博会起，实行主题国机制，即每届东博会确定一个东盟国家作为主题国，按照东盟国家国名的英文首字母顺序依次出任，主题国国家领导人将率团出席当届东博会。文莱是东博会首个主题国。

当第4届东博会如约而至，伴着悠扬的特色音乐演奏，主题国文莱在其“魅力之城”——斯里巴加湾展馆举行了隆重的开馆仪式，时任中国国务院副总理曾培炎与文莱王储比拉亲自为展馆揭牌。

主题国作为该届东博会的重点推介国家，会期除了安排主题国领导人出席“魅力之城”（商品馆）的开馆仪式外，其领导人也将代表东盟方在东博会开幕大会上致辞，主题国部长级的官员则将受邀主持东博会开幕大会。

根据官方统计，前13届东博会共有63位中国和东盟国家领导人、2700位部长级贵宾出席。其中中方领导人包括现任中国国家领导人习近平、李克强、张高丽等。而荣任主题国的东盟国家，其政府首脑也大多会亲自率团出席。各国领导人共赴盛会，不仅是东博会共办共赢的重要体现，也为双方经贸合作提供了有利的政治环境和机制保障。

为了重点推介主题国独特的贸易投资环境、优势和商机，东博会期间还举办主题国专场推介会、主题国领导人与中国企业CEO圆桌对话会等经贸活动，以增进中国—东盟政商界的高端对话，密切商界合作。而在国家形象展示上，主题国依托“魅力之城”专题，精心推出独具特色的文艺演出和文化交流活动。作为礼遇，主题国在“魅力之城”展区的展位选择及相关活动安排也将获得更多便利。

通过这些高规格、多元化的主题国活动，10年来历任主题国在东博会的大舞台上，不仅收获了各界的鲜花掌声，也收获了沉甸甸的合作硕果。

春华秋实，为主题国点赞

中国自1991年与东盟正式建立对话关系以来，始终坚定地支持东盟一体化，支持东盟共同体建设，支持东盟在区域合作中的中心地位。这种对东盟中心地位的支持，不仅贯穿于中国—东盟合作发展的进程中，也反映在了东博会的各项机制中。

东博会通过高官会、主题国等机制，11国共商、共办、共赢的机制早已深入人心。特别是荣任主题国的国家，不仅在东博会的筹备与举办过程中能够深度参与，在项目合作上，也满载而归。

2011年马来西亚出任第8届东博会主题国时，马来西亚总理纳吉布亲自率团出席。开幕大会当天，纳吉布总理与时任中国国务院总理的温家宝共同见证了两国政府签署中马钦州产业园区合作会议纪要，并亲自为园区揭牌，翻开了中马两国合作共建产业园区的新篇章。而在为主题国量身定制的“马来西亚总理纳吉布与中国企业CEO圆桌对话会”上，现场签约的合作项目就达100亿美元。

另据统计，第11届东博会，新加坡签约项目8个，是上届签约项目的4倍，项目个数为东盟国家之最。在开幕大会上，人们不仅见到了新加坡总理李显龙，也见证了广西北部湾国际港务集团公司分别与新加坡国际港务集团（PSA）、太平船务有限公司（PIL）签署战略合作协议，在航运、码头及物流等领域展开全面深入合作。新加坡大华银行集团也与中国国际贸易促进委员会续签合作备忘录，以重点支持能源、基础设施、信息技术等企业。这一年，新加坡是东博会的主题国。

“越南总理阮春福9月10日至15日访问中国，这是今年初越共十二大换届以来，越南政府高级领导人首次访问中国，阮春福11日在中国广西南宁出席第13届中国—东盟博览会，今年也是越南首次成为这一展会的主题国。”越南《民智报》在其2016年9月的一篇报道中这样写道。而据越南工贸部数据显示，第13届东博会是越南参与度最高的一次，其在东博会上有超过250个展位，展示面积超过5000平方米，参展规模位列东盟国家首位，仅次于中国。

在主题国机制的保障下，历任主题国在东博会上大放异彩、收获满满，各国领导人也纷纷为东博会点赞。第9届东博会主题国缅甸的时任总统吴登盛，在当年开幕大会上曾表示，东博会在推动中国与东盟的友谊和贸易方面起着至关重要的作用。“中国—东盟博览会、中国—东盟商务与投资峰会，已经成为了一个稳固的、成功的平台，推动了东盟和中国之间的经济贸易交流以及自由贸易区的发展。”作为累计参加东博会次数最多的政要，柬埔寨首相洪森如此评价。

不忘初心，升级绽放

在主题国机制设立时，中国—东盟自贸区尚未正式建立，建设“一带一路”、开展国际产能合作等倡议也还未提出。而10年后的今天，中国—东盟合作已从“黄金十年”迈向“钻石十年”，作为服务中国—东盟合作的有效公共平台，东博会亦与时俱进、加速升级。在此基础上，东博会主题国机制的内涵也变得更加丰富。

自2015年起，东博会先后在主题国泰国、越南举办了东博会巡展。东博会巡展这一新形式，不仅让东盟国家的客商，特别是中小企业可以在“家门口”对接中国商机；也让主题国在自己的主场上，以更多样的视角、更真切的体验，全方位展示其国家形象及投资环境。在巡展举办的过程中，主办方还积极调动媒体力量，对主题国进行大量报道、采访主题国高层领导人，借助名人效应，积极宣传主题国，提升东博会的国际影响力。

据中国—东盟东博会秘书处秘书长王雷介绍，东博会已确定从2017年起，每年在主题国举办东博会巡展。2017年5月4～6日，东博会文莱展将在文莱斯里巴加湾拉开帷幕。“东博会‘一主多专、巡展并行’的办展格局已经初步形成。”王雷秘书长说道。

除此之外，东博会于2016年首次在会期外举办了东盟国家国别投资介绍会，主题国越南专场投资介绍会备受关注。从会期到会前、会后，随着东博会服务主题国各项活动周期的不断延展，主题国的收获也有望更加丰富。

10年精彩有约，前行初心不忘。当我们回顾主题国机制推出的10年历程，会发现我们所处的时代在变，全球经济发展的形势在变，中国—东盟合作的方式在变。世界在变，但东博会作为中国—东盟自贸区发展“助推器”的定位没变，东博会促进中国—东盟全方位合作的目标没变，东博会坚持共商共办、让每个东盟国家共享其发展红利的初心，未曾改变。

·联系编辑：313464302@qq.com

The Country of Honor mechanism for CAEXPO has been established for 12 years since the 4thCAEXPO in 2007. Thanks to 10 years of concerted efforts, the mechanism guarantees the Expo can be jointly organized by China and ASEAN countries; it has brought together government and business representatives from ASEAN member states, which provides ASEAN member states with not only a stage for chorus but also opportunities to play the role of chorus leader. With such a cooperation mechanism, CAEXPO delivers increasingly thriving win-win cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Hello! Country of Honor!

The initiative of setting up the Country of Honor mechanism was proposed by then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and was actively echoed by ASEAN state leaders. The mechanism has turned the Expo into a high-caliber one with distinctive ASEAN features. The 3rdCAEXPO in 2006 gathered then-Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and heads of states or governments of 10 ASEAN member states.

How to keep the Expo high caliber and make sure that state leaders from 10 ASEAN member states will attend the CAEXPO? How to make ASEAN member states participate in the Expo as masters and to present their charms and business opportunities? The expectation from all sides is higher with each passing day as CAEXPO develops increasingly.

The consensus was reached by high level officials at the 3rdCAEXPO in 2006 while the mechanism started in 4thCAEXPO: Every CAEXPO will determine and designate one of ASEAN countries to be the Country of Honor in country names’ English alphabetical order. Brunei Darussalam is in the frst turn to be the Country of Honor. At the 4thCAEXPO, Brunei, as the Country of Honor, held the launching ceremony in “City of Charm” — Bandar Seri Begawan Exhibition Pavilion. The then Chinese Premier H.E. Zeng Peiyan and His Royal Highness Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah unveiled together the nameplate of the pavilion.

In terms of activities for Country of Honor, the state leader of the country of will be invited to attend the opening ceremony of City of Charm (commodity pavilion), to address at the opening ceremony of CAEXPO on behalf of ASEAN side and to deliver a speech on the CABIS. Besides, the ministerial offcials from the Country of Honor will be invited to host the open ceremony of CAEXPO.

According to the official statistics, previous 13 Expos gathered total 63 state leaders and 2,700 ministerial offcials from ASEAN member states and China. In particular, participating state leaders from China include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. The leader delegation from the Country of Honor headed by the head of country will attend the opening ceremony. The Country of Honor mechanism will not only indicate the win-win cooperation but also provide advantageous political environment and mechanism guarantee for bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

To mainly introduce the trade and investment environment, advantages and business opportunities of the Country of Honor, there will be trade promotion activities like theme country promotion conference and roundtable dialogue by ASEAN state leaders and Chinese enterprises’ CEOs, thus enhancing the high-level dialogue between bilateral government and business community and other commercial cooperation. To promote the country image, the Country of Honor will organize wonderful distinctive artistic performance and cultural exchanges themed on “City of Charm”. However, the Country of Honor will enjoy preferential conditions in terms of the choice of “City of Charm” exhibition areas and the exhibition, transport, and customs clearance of product.

Thanks to an array of high-caliber and diversified theme country activities for 10 years, fruitful achievement has been gained in China-ASEAN cooperation.

The mechanism witnesses fruitful cooperation achievements

Since the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations between China and ASEAN in 1991, China has long been supporting the centrality of ASEAN, the development of ASEAN community and central role of ASEAN played in the ASEAN-China cooperation, which has been manifested by all mechanisms for the Expo.Since the establishment of the Country of Honor mechanism, the Country of Honor not only gets deeply involved with the preparation and convocation of CAEXPO but also delivers fruitful cooperation projects.

Malaysia, as the Country of Honor in 2011, sent a delegation headed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to attend the CAEXPO. During the ceremony, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and then-Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao witnessed the signing of Minute of Meeting for China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park by both governments, which chartered a new chapter for the joint development of industrial park by two sides. At the roundtable dialogue by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and CEOs from Chinese enterprises, cooperation projects worth US$ 10 billion were signed on the spot.

When Singapore was the Country of Honor at the 11thCAEXPO, Singapore signed eight projects with China, about four times of that at the previous Expo, according to the statistics. On the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed Beibu Gulf Port Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with PSA and PIL respectively, in order to deepen cooperation in shipping, port and logistics. UOB has inked the MOU for cooperation with China International Trade Promotion Committee with focus on supporting companies involving energy, infrastructure, and IT.

“Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited China during September 10-15, 2016. It is the frst time for Vietnamese highlevel government leader to visit China since the convocation of 12thVietnamese Communist Party Congress; Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the 13thCAEXPO on September 11, 2016 in Nanning, Guangxi, when Vietnam was the Country of Honor for the first time,” said Dan Tri, a Vietnamese newspaper. According to the statistics by Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vietnam owned over 250 booths with area more than 5,000 square meters, higher than that on CAEXPO. Vietnam’s scale of participation is larger than any other ASEAN member states, only second to China.

With the guarantee of the mechanism, satisfying achievements have been gained in past years and praises was received from state leaders of ASEAN member states and China. At the 9thCAEXPO when Myanmar was the Country of Honor, then Myanmar President U Thein Sein said that CAEXPO has been playing a significant role in boosting Myanmar-China friendship and trade cooperation. “CAEXPO and CABIS has become a stable and successful platform for ASEANChina economic and trade exchanges and the development of CAFTA,” said Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, as the state leader with the most times of presence on CAEXPO.

Keep upgrading while staying true to original will

Ten years ago when the Country of Honor mechanism was set up, CAFTA was not established; nor was the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative and industrial capacity cooperation. Today, China-ASEAN cooperation has evolved from a golden decade into diamond decade when CAEXPO as an effective platform has upgraded timely to meet today’s diversifying demands. On such a basis, the Country of Honor mechanism has become richer in content.

Since 2015, CAEXPO itinerant exhibitions were successively held in Thailand and Vietnam. Such a new type of exhibition is more convenient for ASEAN business, especially for SMEs, to access opportunities to cooperate with China; meanwhile, the national image and investment environment of theme countries can presented in multiple perspectives and more concrete conditions. By active participation of media, a great many reports on theme countries and high-level offcials’ interviews were made to improve the visibility of CAEXPO worldwide.

Mr. Wang Lei, Secretary General of China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, introduced that CAEXPO itinerant exhibitions will be held annually in the theme country since 2017. On May 4-6, the CAEXPO (Brunei Exhibition) will kick off in Bandar Seri Begawan.

In addition, introduction conference for investment policy in ASEAN countries has been frstly held in Vietnam outside the conventionally fxed date for CAEXPO, which received much attention. The theme country is expected to acquire much more achievements with the extension of activity cycle.

Keep upgrading while staying true to original will. CAEXPO will as always serve as the promoter of China-ASEAN cooperation in all dimensions and adhere to the original will that every ASEAN member state can share the development dividends through joint consultation and convocation.

CAEXPO Country of Honor Mechanism: To Move on with a Decade-Long Successful Practice

Written by Li Min / Translated by Mao Yuye