Diplomatic representatives from South and Southeast Asian nations have unanimously commended Yunnan Province’s groundbreaking achievements in advancing regional connectivity and international cooperation during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The consensus emerged during discussions surrounding Yunnan’s government work report presented at the provincial people’s congress, with envoys expressing strong anticipation for enhanced collaboration during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Yunnan’s strategic positioning as China’s gateway to South and Southeast Asia has yielded remarkable results through multifaceted opening-up initiatives. The landmark China-Laos Railway has emerged as a cornerstone achievement, facilitating unprecedented cross-border mobility with 64 million passenger journeys and 74 million metric tons of freight transportation since its inauguration. Lao Consul General Pongdong Paxaphacdy characterized the railway’s impact as “exceeding expectations” in boosting bilateral trade and tourism development.
The province’s connectivity expansion extends beyond rail infrastructure to encompass waterway networks. Thailand’s Consul General Bhavivarn Noraphallop highlighted the newly operational Guanlei Port in Xishuangbanna, which has processed 260,000 tons of import-export goods valued at over $370 million since December 2024, recording year-on-year growth exceeding 70% in volume and 124% in value.
Medical diplomacy has emerged as another significant dimension of Yunnan’s international outreach. Bangladeshi Consul General Md Khaled recounted the successful treatment of three children with congenital heart diseases at Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, emphasizing the profound human impact of cross-border healthcare cooperation. “I witnessed the transformative joy on the faces of these children and their families,” Khaled noted.
Myanmar’s Consul General U Thwin Htet Lin praised Yunnan’s “comprehensive and pragmatic” development approach, particularly its focus on high-quality growth, people-centered policies, and regional openness. The diplomat highlighted Myanmar’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, education, and tourism with the geographically proximate province.
Vietnamese Consul General Nghiem Viet Chung advocated for streamlined visa procedures and improved transportation links to capitalize on Yunnan’s growing popularity among Vietnamese tourists, suggesting these measures could significantly increase visitor numbers.
The diplomatic community’s assessment reflects broad recognition of Yunnan’s successful integration of infrastructure development, economic cooperation, and humanitarian initiatives in its regional engagement strategy.