On June 5, 2010, the Asia-Pacific Chinese Merchant Forum was held under the theme of “grabbing the gateway opportunity to promote cooperation and development of Chinese merchants.” It took place after the opening ceremony for the 8th Promotion Conference for ASEAN Chinese Merchants to Invest in Southwest China and the Asia-Pacific Chinese Merchant Forum. The forum explored opportunities between overseas Chinese merchants and West China under the post-financial crisis background, and the cooperation opportunities for Yunnan and overseas Chinese merchants in the gateway strategy. Gu Chaoxi, vice-governor of Yunnan province, and four overseas businessmen made discussions under the forum theme.

The gateway construction project makes Yunnan a forefront in China’s new round of opening up from the former periphery position. Yunnan has greeted an unprecedented opportunity for development. Enterprises invested by overseas businesses in Yunnan have also met new development chances. Overseas Chinese merchants have seen new historical opportunities to invest in Yunnan. The major tasks of the province in the gateway construction are to “establish channels, construct bases, set up platforms, and cultivate windows.” This year marks the beginning of the gateway construction. Yunnan will give priority to building up strategic channels, modern logistics system, energy and tourism industries. Vice Governor Gu Chaoxi recommended five worthy fields for overseas Chinese merchants for cooperation, which are infrastructure construction, new type industrial projects, tourism development construction, agricultural and biological resources development, and modern logistics.