By Li Ping

It is good to note that relations between China and Pakistan are growing from strength to strength. Economic and commercial cooperation, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is driving the current surge in bilateral relations.

While bilateral partnership of the two nations is broad-based and comprehensive, some of the regions in China are gaining added significance to take this win-win cooperation further. Yunnan, the southwestern province of China is one such region.

Let us introduce you to Yunnan province, first. Located at the juncture of South and Southeast Asia, the province is half the size of Pakistan in terms of landmass and almost one-fourth when it comes to population. It borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and is in close proximity to Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India and, we can say, Nepal. Flight time between the capitals of all these countries from Yunnan’s capital Kunming is between hardly 1 to just over 3 hours.

It would interesting for Pakistani audience to note that the province has a GDP, in nominal terms, of around $330 billion which is more or less equivalent to that of Pakistan. International trade of the province is around $ 30 billion.

Thanks to continuous attention and robust policies of China’s central and Yunnan’s provincial authorities, the province is witnessing one of the highest rates of GDP growth among Chinese provinces and regions, in recent years. International trade and commercial cooperation is also increasing fast, further, in size and scope. It would not be wrong to say that Yunnan is rapidly on the way to become an important gateway between China and South and Southeast Asia.

Chinese and international investors are increasingly turning to Yunnan, to invest there and start their businesses – reaping the benefits of the province’s ideal location in the south-eastern part of Asia; and getting the dividends of favorable central and provincial policies and approaches.

As a whole, the province offers immense investment, business and trade opportunities for international potential partners and Pakistani investors, businesspersons – due to extraordinarily positive relations between the two nations – stand to gain a lot if they wish to benefit from these opportunities.

It may be pointed out here that Yunnan is home to one the first 6 Pilot Free Trade Zones that China is building in various provinces and regions of the country; which means that the province is being readied for much more enhanced and multiplied international commerce activity from its borders.

When we talk about up and coming investment opportunities of investing in this beautiful province of China, some of the prefectures, cities and areas as well as their projects that are being developed for the purpose assume a renewed significance for international investors. The following projects in particular await international investors to join hands with Yunnan in developing their businesses.

Wenshan

• Biomedicine Cosmetics Manufacturing Project;
• Xiaobaishan Sports and Leisure Park Project
• Yanshan Modern Agricultural Industrial Park Construction Project

Honghe

• International Medical Center Construction Project;
• Generic Medicine and TCM Research Center Project;
• Public Overseas Warehouse and Operation Center Construction Project.
• PCB Production Project
• ITO Target Material Production Project

Dehong

• International Medical Center Construction Project;
• Generic Medicine and TCM Research Center Project;
• Investment Attraction Program for Wanding Boundary Economic Cooperation Zone

Lijiang

• Chenghai Health Town Project in YongSheng County
• Dadong Hot Spring Resort Development Project in Gucheng District Lijiang City
• Jinsha River Ecological Economic Corridor Construction Project in Lijiang
• Yongning Basin MosuoAnicent Town Project

Xishuangbanna

• Tianhe Project in Gasa Tourist Town
• Mengman International Rubber Town Project
• Megla (Mohan) Key Development Project and Opening Up Experimental Zone
• Daluo Port Trade Services Area Project
• Qizi Cake Tea Cultural Tourism Project

Yuxi Prefecture

• Construction of Theme Park on South Bank of Qilu lake in Tonghai County
• Development Project of LijashanAnicent Town Group Archeological Site Park and Cultural Creative Base in Jiangchuan District
• Citrus Processing and Band Operation Project in Xinping County
• Mango Chareacteristic Town in Ganzhuang – Home to Overseas Chinese, Yuanjian County

Lincang

• Yawei Exhibition Center
• Pottery Cultural Industrial Park
• Processing of Fruits, vegetables and Other Leisure Foods
• Electronically and Electrical Processing Project
• Agriculture Machinery Assembly and Development

Qujing

• Hydropower Silicon Industrial Park
• New Energy and New Industrial Materials Park
• Stainless Steel Industrial Park
• Luliang County Dehydration, Freeze-Drid, Quick Frozen Vegetable and Edible Fungi Project

Dali

• Shangguan Pastoral Ecological Healthcare Center
• Heqing Green Low Carbon Hydropower Aluminum Intensive Processing Industrial Park
• International Means of Livelihood Logistics Park

Pu’ Er

• Banshan Hotel – A Destination for Healthy Life
• Bodder Processing Logistics Park at Mengkang Port
• Gold Menglian Nayun Ancient Town Border Cultural Tourism Project
• Cold Chain Logistics Park
• 100 miles Tea Road

Yunnan is also home to the best varieties of green and herbal tea as well as black tea and coffee; major producer of tobacco and its products; a huge power in terms for hydropower generation; a leading global producer and exporter of cut-flowers. The province, due to its mesmerizing landscape, historical heritage, ethnic diversity and natural wealth is a magnet for tourists from China and abroad.

Like other parts of China, Yunnan is already engaged in various forms of commercial cooperation with Pakistan – particularly involvement in CPEC projects and slowly but gradually increasing trade. Every year, province’s capital Kunming hosts a major trade expo of South and Southeast Asianproducers and manufactures, which would no onwards be running on permanent basis, and Pakistani businesses’ have been an important feature of this activity.

Pakistani students have studied in and continuing their education in institutions of higher and professional learning in Yunnan. A direct flight between Kunming and Islamabad ensued in December 2019 that would be resumed once COVID-19 related restrictions are removed, soonest we hope. However, we are nowhere near the potential that exists – on both sides.

It is high time that investors, producers and traders come forward; take advantage of the opportunities that Yunnan offers and resultantly play a much needed role in further solidifying the evergreen partnership between our two countries.

[The writer is Director, Overseas Representative Office of Yunnan in Islamabad.]