In order to promote further cooperation between Japan and Guangdong, the 17th meeting of the Japan-Guangdong Economic Promotion Council was held in Guangzhou on November 26th.

Nearly 90 guests from Chinese and Japanese companies attended the meeting.

“The Japan-Guangdong Economic Promotion Council has been playing an important role in bilateral communication since 2001,” said Chen Liangxian, Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province. “The 17th meeting will focus on improving manufacturing productivity, self-dependent innovation and information technology.”

Furthermore, Vice-Governor Chen stated that Guangdong Province and Hyogo Prefecture have enjoyed a series of fruitful exchanges in economy, education, culture, tourism and more since the two regions signed the sister province agreement in 1983.

According to Vice-Governor Chen, the total volume of import and export trade between Japan and Guangdong amounted to 56 billion dollars from January to October this year, accounting for 6.3% of the import and export trade total.

“Guangdong has been the main engine of China’s reform and opening-up over the past 40 years,” Ido Toshizo, Governor of Hyogo Prefecture indicated. “I was left very impressed by Guangdong’s economic growth and innovation when I visited Guangdong last year, especially by the widespread support for mobile payment.”

Governor Ido expects more win-win cooperation and that region to region exchange, as well as people exchange can be further strengthened through the Japan-Guangdong Economic Promotion Council in future.

Author: Steven Yuen

Editor: Simon Haywood