Indian senior think tank visits GZASS

Seminar on Sino-Indian Relations in a Changing World [Photo/gzass.gd.cn]

On the afternoon of November 23, 2018, an Indian think tank delegation composed of think tanks and academies such as Vivekananda International Foundation, Observer Research Foundation and BRICS Institute visited GZASS to discuss "Sino-Indian relations in A Changing World" with experts and scholars of GZASS.

The meeting was presided over by Yin Tao, a member of the leading Party members' group and Vice President of GZASS, and President of Guangzhou Academy of Urban Strategy. Zhang Yueguo, President of GZASS, delivered a welcome speech, introducing the positioning and functions of GZASS as a new type of urban think tank, hoping to enhance mutual understanding with Indian think tank and strengthen cooperation and exchanges between them. Yin Tao said that China and India are both populous countries, leading the world in both economic volume and economic growth. The development of China-India economic and trade relations also ushered in a new opportunity for a higher level. At the same time, it is also very meaningful for scholars from China and India, the two largest emerging economies in the world, to discuss the prospects of cooperation in economic, trade, industry and other fields.

Subsequently, in the Indian side's speech, Vinod Anad, senior researcher and head of delegation of the Vivekananda Foundation, said that India is also under the pressure from unilateralism and trade protectionism. Although there is trade imbalance between China and India, there remains a huge space to enhance economic cooperation. Since Made-in-China 2025 and Made-in-India share common strategies, it is very important to promote economic strategic dialogues between both sides. Singh, President of BRICS Institute of India, expressed the expectation for consensus and cooperation between China and India. He also introduced the current development situation of India in urbanization, digital economy, urban-rural differences, urban social justice, inclusive development and population structure and discussed the reality of cooperation between Guangdong Province and India in trade, investment and finance and the possibility of further cooperation. Faisa, an associate professor at FORE School of Management in India, also introduced the business environment and the building of smart cities in India.

To the concerns of scholars from Indian think tank, experts and scholars of GZASS have made speeches and replies. There are many common points between China and India, with still great potential for the expansion in economic and trade cooperation. Besides macro-planning, the two countries should also promote practical cooperation in the micro-economy. At the same time, China and India should promote economic cooperation and exchanges at the level of province and state, and Chinese enterprises should increase their investment in India. Yao Yi, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Studies, introduced the internationalization of Guangzhou and the experience and impression of two visits to India for survey. Wang Shiying, Deputy Research Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Economics and Business Management Studies, expressed his views on strengthening Sino-Indian tourism and cultural ties. He Jiang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Modern Market Studies, introduced China's experience in utilizing demographic dividends and Guangzhou's commitment to smart logistics.