By Yuling Chen, Mikkel Larsen  iChongqing News

Chongqing-Asia300 Global Business Forum Chongqing Summit, or Asia300 for short, kicked off in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on May 16, 2019.

The event gathered about 300 of Asia’s leading business and political leaders like Heizo Takenaka, Former Minister of Economic and Financial Policy, together with academics in Chongqing to discuss and explore the potential for open and connected Asian economies. The Chongqing Summit's theme was “Towards an Open Asian Economic Area: The Potential of Closer Partnerships”.

Duan Chenggang, Member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing CPC Municipal Committee, noted that Chongqing will play a leading role in promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road. By Mikkel Larsen

Asia300 first time held in Chongqing

The spirit of the summit shared a similar sentiment with remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, May 15.

“We Asian countries are closely connected and share a natural bond of affinity. We went through similar historical trials and hold the same dream for the future. Going forward, we need to see where the world is going, ride on the trend of the times and turn our people’s longing for a better life into reality.” Duan Chenggang, Member of the Standing Committee of Chongqing CPC Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Party Work Committee and Director of the Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Administrative Committee, noted that Chongqing, at the intersection of the Belt and Road and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the western city will play a leading role in promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Takeoka Lunshi, Special Executive Director of Nikkei, said that the summit served as an excellent platform for enterprises in Chongqing to communicate with and learn from its Asian counterparts. By Mikkel Larsen

During the introduction, Takeoka Lunshi, Special Executive Director of Nikkei said it was the first time that Nikkei had chosen Chongqing to have the summit. The summit served as an excellent platform for enterprises in Chongqing to communicate with and learn from its Asian counterparts and informs Chongqing’s efforts to pioneer opening-up in hinterland China.

The Belt and Road to better connect the world

Tan Benhong, Vice President of Chang’an Automobile said, “The Belt and Road Initiative is an unprecedented opportunity for the development, growth, and long-term development of Chang’an Automobile, which is located in Chongqing. It is also a historic opportunity for Chang’an to become a world-class automobile enterprise.” The automobile company based in Chongqing exported 440,000 vehicles in 2018, and 60% of them were Belt and Road countries.

Heizo Takenaka, Former Minister of Economic and Financial Policy, addresses at 2019 Asia300 Global Business Forum Chongqing Summit, May 16, 2019. By Mikkel Larsen

Tassapon Bijleveld, Executive Chairman of Asia Aviation Plc. and Thai AirAsia CEO of AirAsia China and Indochina said, “AirAsia will be seeking to support the infrastructure along the Belt and Road, connecting China to cities all along with, expanding service to Europe later this year or early next year. We have a vision of becoming a digital airline and will be using the data to help customers to travel with ease. "

Zhang Zhengrong, Regional Director of Nissin, mentioned that 53 cooperative projects signed last year showcasing Japanese enterprises’ active involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Speeches and panel discussions inspire ideas

Apart from speeches delivered by Takeoka Lunshi, Tan Benhong, Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman of Samvardhana Motherson Group, Jerry Hsu, Director of Kinpo Group, there were also panel discussions joined by Zhang Zhengrong, Regional Director of Nissin, Ambika Goel, Co-President, Real Estate, GLP China, Tassapon Bijleveld, Dr. Ingrid van Wees, Vice-President of Finance and Risk Management, Asia Development Bank, Luky Eko Wuryanto, Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Ken Koyanagi of Editor-at-large at Nikkei Asian Review.

About 300 Asia’s leading business and political leaders like Heizo Takenaka, Former Minister of Economic and Financial Policy, together with academics gather in Chongqing to discuss and explore the potential for open and connected Asian economies, May 16, 2019. By Mikkel Larsen

Ms. Ingrid van Wees Vice President of Finance and Risk Management in the Asia Development Bank also noted the variety of companies represented which she thought added to the value of the summit. Among the lineup of speakers, were executives from well-known companies such as AirAsia, and some large companies that aren't as well known in the public domain such as GLP and Kinpo, "which was good to see" she added. "A couple of family-owned businesses presented at the summit which really fits this context is inspirational, and resonates with the traditional Asian family business model," she added.

Some shared their stories and the other expressed their views on the two-panel discussions, namely, Belt and Road Initiative: In search of the new growth engine for Asia and How development finance and support are evolving in Asia.

Panel discussion of How development finance and support are evolving in Asia are joined by Dr. Ingrid van Wees (M), Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management, Asia Development Bank, Luky Eko Wuryanto (R), Vice President and Chief Administration Officer of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.  By Mikkel Larsen

Chairman Vivek Chaand Sehgal unraveled secrets of continuous growth. He believes that enterprises must create value, and achieve sustainable development.

Heizo Takenaka noted that ways to build the supercity in Japan represent a hot topic. In that regard, experiences can be learned from practices in China, for example, shared big data in Chongqing for improving city management.

The event organizers are the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government Press Office, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Chongqing Daily News Group and Nikkei Inc. Moreover, the Asia300 companies are leading businesses selected by Nikkei from six major ASEAN countries and regions, including India, China, and South Korea, based on such factors as market capitalization and growth potential.

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