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EDITOR JESSIE FAN
Friday, March 20, 2015
2 TOP NEWS
Wuhan to build "Beidou
Technology Park" in Thailand
By Cai Muzi
As an important country located along the
Maritime Silk Road, Thailand maintains a strategic
position as a connection point for Chinese
interaction and trade with ASEAN countries.
Starting on March 17, a series of exchange
activities between Wuhan and Thailand kicked off.
Four cooperation projects related to economic,
technological, educational, and cultural exchange
were launched by officials from Wuhan and
Thailand. Of these four projects, the most
significant is the "China-ASEAN Beidou
Technology Park," which is being backed by a
total investment of RMB ten billion. On the same
day, an office to help promote the trade of the
small and medium-sized enterprises and a
chamber of commerce were set up in Wuhan by
the Thai government.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between China and
Thailand. From March to October, the Wuhan
municipal government and the Royal Thai
Embassy, Beijing will work together to hold a
series of exchange activities, such as the Thai
Food Festival, which is scheduled to be held in
May, a forum focused on Beidou and industrial
cooperation, an activity where Thai students
studying in Wuhan will be given the opportunity to
tour the Beidou production base, a forum on
educational cooperation between Wuhan and
Thailand, and activities where representatives from
local enterprises will visit companies in Thailand.
A strategic cooperation framework agreement
for the "China-ASEAN Beidou Technology Park"
was signed by representatives from both China and
Thailand. According to the agreement, the
technology park, which will occupy an area of
approximately 46.7 square kilometers, will be
about a 2.5-hour drive outside of Bangkok,
Thailand. Construction will start this year and end
in 2025.
Last year, the total value of all imports and
exports between Wuhan and Thailand was greater
than USD 430 million, a 31.8% increase over the
previous year. Some cities in Thailand, like
Bangkok and Betong, have already established
friendly exchange relationships with Wuhan. Last
year, over 150,000 Wuhan people traveled to
Thailand. Thailand is currently the number one
destination abroad for tourists from Wuhan.
"Sino-Thai trade is developing quickly. If 10%
of the population of Wuhan visits Thailand, the
number of tourists from Wuhan that visit Thailand
will hit one million. I think Thailand should
seriously consider setting up a consular office in
Wuhan," said Mr. Phinij Jarusombut, the former
Vice Premier of Thailand and President of the
Thai-Chinese Cultural & Relationship Council,
during his recent visit to Wuhan.
By Ju Di
Our reporter recently learned from
the Hubei branch of China Southern
Airlines (CSA) that due to an increase
in outbound tourism, the company
plans to increase the number of
international flights out of Wuhan to
Japan, South Korea, Macao, and other
countries and regions. The soon-toopen Wuhan-Nagoya flight will no
longer stop in Shanghai; it will fly
directly from Wuhan to Nagoya,
reducing the total travel time by two
hours. Once the new route opens, it
will only take four hours and fifteen
minutes to fly from Wuhan to Nagoya.
CSA also plans to open flights
from Wuhan to Shizuoka and Macao.
The specific flight schedules for
the new flights are as follows. The
Wuhan-Nagoya flight will open on
April 30, and it will depart from
Wuhan every Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Sunday. The WuhanShizuoka flight will be launched on
May 1 and will depart from Wuhan
every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The Wuhan-Macao flight will start
service on April 3 and will depart
from Wuhan every Tuesday, Friday,
and Sunday.
By Huang Qi
By Vicky Huang
Mr. Phinij Jarusombat
CSA to open WuhanNagoya & Wuhan-Shizuoka
flights next month
China & Germany to
co-train logistics personnel
Wuhan, a pivot point for
Sino-Thai cooperation
On March 18, the Wuhan-Thailand Economic
and Trade Forum was held, where representatives
from 60 Wuhan-based enterprises and a 50member delegation from Thailand were present.
Mr. Phinij Jarusombat, agreed to an exclusive
interview with the Changjiang Weekly during the
meeting.
After learning that there are over 40 Thai
enterprises investing in Wuhan and that there are
many Wuhan-based enterprises looking to invest in
Thailand, Mr. Phinij Jarusombat praised Wuhan for
the role it plays in Sino-Thai cooperation. He
mentioned that Wuhan has advantages in a number
of different areas, such as culture, education,
tourism, technology, logistics, and so on. "Wuhan is
a successful development model for Thailand,
especially with regard to urban planning,
environmental protection, water treatment, auto
parts manufacturing, and the development of the
electronics industry."
He explained that Thailand has implemented a
series of preferential investment policies to stimulate
DESIGNER YANG LU
Photo by Peng Nian
cooperation in fields like machinery, automobile
component manufacturing, and medical equipment
with cities around the world, cities like Wuhan. Mr.
Phinij Jarusombat also mentioned that there are a
number of preferential tax policies available. "Take
corporate income taxes for example. Some
research enterprises will be exempt from corporate
income taxes for at least eight years," he said.
The four-year Logistics
Management Bachelor's degree
program co-sponsored by Wuhan
Business University and Germany's
Fachhochschule für Oekonomie und
Management Essen, will begin enrolling
students in June of this year. It is the
first joint education program in Hubei
to specialize in the training of logistics
personnel.
According to the training plan,
100 students will be enrolled this year.
Most of the courses will be taught in
English; some German teachers will be
involved in the training process. The
students will also take basic German
courses. After studying three years in
China and obtaining the necessary
qualifications, the students may apply
for a one-year Bachelor of Business
Administration program in Germany.
They may also further their education
by enrolling in graduate programs at
German universities.