Netizen: At present, Zhanjiang is deepening cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Now I have three questions. First, what cooperation has Zhanjiang and ASEAN engaged in? Second, what is the cooperation between Zhanjiang and ASEAN countries? Third, what are the achievements during your visit to three ASEAN countries last year?

Wang: Zhanjiang's cooperation with ASEAN mainly covers three industries. The first is fishing, which is Zhanjiang's strength. Our products have entered the international market. The second industry is modern agriculture. We have strong international competitiveness in technology, management and processing ability. The third is tourism, where we have opened direct flights to Bangkok. More and more residents travel abroad.

In recent years, Zhanjiang has had frequent exchanges with ASEAN countries, leading trade and enjoying rapid growth. The trade volume in 2014 doubled from that of 2013, reaching $1 billion. This is just the beginning.

Our economic and trade delegations have paid visits to ASEAN countries many times. We established a trade representative office in Cambodia in 2014 and in Thailand in 2015. We will establish trade representative offices in other ASEAN countries soon to provide better service for Zhanjiang enterprises that invest and settle in those countries.

Last year, I visited three ASEAN countries and I noticed that they are eager to trade and have economic cooperation with Chinese enterprises. I also felt that China's achievements in reform and opening up in the past years have been recognized by the world. It is time to start "going out". My visit to Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia has increased my confidence to expand cooperation with ASEAN.

Netizen: Good morning Mr Mayor. I'm Wu Jianping, a dean from the School of Business at Lingnan Normal University. Since we have established a Coordination Center of the Maritime Silk Road at our university, I'd like to put forward four suggestions related to the cooperation in line with the national Belt and Road Initiative.

First, I think every school and enterprise should have the intention to cooperate with ASEAN. I suggest the city government establishes a special organization to provide coordination or consultation for ASEAN and its partners or potential partners in Zhanjiang.

Second, I suggest a joint establishment of a Sino-Thailand Tourism Center by Zhanjiang and ASEAN.

Third, Zhanjiang ranks second in terms of the number of colleges and universities in Guangdong province, and has rich educational resources. So, I think it's necessary to make joint plans with Thailand to build an educational base.

Fourth, I suggest an interaction and exchange platform supporting the import of fresh produce from ASEAN to Zhanjiang.

Lastly, I'd like to pose a question about what projects the city government is going to carry out with ASEAN, now that Zhanjiang is a pivot city for the Maritime Silk Road cooperation? Thank you.

Mayor: Thanks for your suggestions and we are applying for national approvals on those four projects.

Well, throughout history, Zhanjiang locals have always had the "going out" mind set to seek more cooperation. It has become our nature.

As for the special organization for the coordination between ASEAN and its potential partners in Zhanjiang, we have designated the Zhanjiang bureau of commerce to improve the work through its ASEAN department.

It doesn't matter whether it is the bureau of commerce or the ASEAN department, they are not only working for the connection between ASEAN and enterprises in Zhanjiang, but the cooperation of economy and trade, science, education and culture. This is the strength they should display.

The city government has prioritized the cooperation with Thailand. We have established a management commission with delegates of small and medium-sized enterprises in Thailand to strengthen our economic and trade cooperation. The commission is a government official organization and delegates from Thailand are expected to attend the 2016 Aquatic Exposition and 2016 China Marine Economy Expo in Zhanjiang.

Via the two expositions in 2016, we will for the first time comprehensively unveil the competitive products from Thailand, especially agricultural and aquacultural products. In cooperation with Thailand, we have established the Guangdong Ocean University Cunjin School. It is deemed as a good cooperative project with Thailand and reflects that our cooperation has extended to education, science and technology and talents.

Netizen: Zhanjiang enjoys the shortest distance on maritime routes with ASEAN countries. Will there be a greater improvement in transportation between Zhanjiang and ASEAN countries? Also, how can you make better use of Zhanjiang's port?

Wang: I should say working with ASEAN will definitely help boost the cooperation between Zhanjiang ports and ASEAN ports.

We will further improve the quality of Zhanjiang ports' transportation conditions. So far, we have opened 10 direct international routes, four of them are to ASEAN countries. In the future, more routes will be opened to make better use of Zhanjiang's maritime advantage. Zhanjiang ports have played an important and irreplaceable role in working with ASEAN countries.

Netizen: Zhanjiang has become the permanent host of the China Marine Economy Expo. Will the event bring some new opportunities for Zhanjiang and ASEAN countries? Also, will Thailand become the permanent main guest of honor at China Marine Economy Expo?

Wang: The China Marine Economy Expo is not only an important platform for Zhanjiang to showcase its marine advantages and achievements, but also a platform to promote the achievements of our partners. The expo was written in this year's provincial Party committee report as a key platform to develop the marine economy and trade with ASEAN.

The China Marine Economy Expo 2016 will make a breakthrough with Thailand becoming Zhanjiang's co-organizer. Thailand's economic development is superior to other ASEAN countries. Zhanjiang's cooperation with Thailand will boost the expo's quality. As for whether Thailand will become a permanent partner, we need to wait and see what the outcome of this year's event is.

Zhanjiang has a great responsibility to develop the expo into an international event.

Netizen: Agriculture and aquaculture are two key industries Zhanjiang and ASEAN cooperate in. At the beginning of 2016, Zhanjiang is striving to establish designated ports for imported fruits. What are the new measures between Zhanjiang and ASEAN's cooperation in agriculture and aquaculture?

Wang: In 2016, Zhanjiang will cooperate with Thailand to help improve global buying and selling, enhancing Zhanjiang's position as a pivot city.

Though Zhanjiang has rich tropical fruits, they are sold without being processed, which is not suitable for tourists. We hope to import ASEAN agricultural products, as well as their processing technology to Zhanjiang.