Kunming Action Plan of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum
Kunming Action Plan of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum
The 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum (CSACF) was held in Kunming from June 19 to 20, 2025. All parties fully recognize the progress made in implementing Kunming Initiative since the 5th CSACF. All parties highly commend the extensive consensus reached on development cooperation issues of common interest during this forum, themed “Join Hands for Open and Inclusive Development”. Kunming Action Plan of the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum was issued as follows.
Ⅰ. Jointly build a community with a shared future featuring mutual assistance
1. China and South Asian countries are friendly neighbors and development partners, forming an integral part of a community with a shared future. The parties commend the following initiatives: the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
2. It’s of significance to jointly organize activities commemorating the anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. In 2025, China will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with India, the 70th anniversary with Nepal, the 70th anniversary with Afghanistan, and the 50th anniversary with Bangladesh. Relevant parties will maintain close communication and jointly organize a series of commemorative events.
3. The China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, now in its sixth session, has effectively served as a key platform for intergovernmental exchanges and for building consensus on regional cooperation between China and South Asian countries. It’s imperative to continue fostering efficient and productive communication, actively share experiences in governance, and further deepen friendly cooperation toward common development and prosperity.
Ⅱ.Jointly promote mutually-beneficial pragmatic cooperation
1. The partnership initiative for economic and trade prosperity. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation continues to create opportunities and drive development for China and South Asian countries. We should fully leverage the favorable policies between China and South Asian countries, as well as platforms like the China-South Asia Expo, to boost economic and trade exchanges and promote regional economic prosperity.
2. The partnership initiative for rural revitalization and people’s wellbeing. We should strengthen agricultural and poverty reduction exchanges and cooperation through platforms such as the 3rd International Agrobiodiversity Congress, 2025 International Forum on Poverty Governance and Global Development, Innovation Alliance for Agricultural Science and Technology in South & Southeast Asia. We should support cooperation among agricultural departments and research institutions through joint research and talent exchanges. Yunnan stands ready to work with all countries to implement more people-centered and sustainable projects, such as Yunnan Hand-in-Hand Program, to improve local livelihoods and benefit the people of all countries.
3. The partnership initiative for human resources development. We should support universities and vocational colleges in conducting more cooperation such as faculty and student exchanges, jointly running schools, collaborative research, leveraging platforms like Kunming Forum on Education Cooperation in South & Southeast Asia, South & Southeast Asian Universities Network and other inter-school cooperation platforms. We should support cooperation among universities, enterprises, and research institutions to build international joint labs and conduct joint research on key technologies. Yunnan Province will continue to provide Yunnan Government Scholarships to South Asian students and welcomes more of them to study and exchange in Yunnan.
4. The partnership initiative for healthcare. We should support cooperation among health authorities, universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies in medical resource and technology collaboration, public health system development, traditional medicine, medical education, infectious disease control, international medical wellness, and digital health. Yunnan Province will continue to utilize the South and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Service Alliance to hold training programs for medical staff targeting South Asia, and to conduct medical outreach activities such as congenital heart disease screening and Brightness Action for cataract patients in South Asian countries.
5. The partnership initiative for green development and innovation. We should enhance cooperation in green energy development, green infrastructure, and the promotion of energy-saving technologies, and support capable enterprises and associations in exploring cooperation opportunities. International digital cooperation is crucial for global digital development and modernization. We should strengthen digital cooperation by promoting digital infrastructure connectivity, expanding digital trade in e-commerce, logistics, and payment platforms, deepening digital services, enhancing digital technology exchanges, encouraging digital innovation, and boosting the capabilities of digital cooperation think tanks and industries.
6. The partnership initiative for subnational cooperation. It’s important to fully leverage the role of sister cities in subnational cooperation to promote mutual learning, shared development, and friendly exchanges across various fields. We support friendly cooperation under the sister city framework, including between Kunming and Kolkata (India), Chattogram and Gazipur (Bangladesh), Pokhara (Nepal). Cities engaging in exchanges and cooperation are encouraged to establish sister city relationships.
7. The partnership initiative for culture and tourism cooperation. We should enhance communication and exchanges among cultural and tourism authorities to deepen cooperation in several key areas: tourism promotion and marketing, development of cultural and tourism products, training of tourism professionals, protection and development of cultural relics, and more. We should expand digital tourism cooperation, facilitate visits by renowned travelers and travel influencers, and promote regional tourism resources to boost the popularity of tourist destinations. Cultural performances, intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, and other diverse cultural experience activities will be held during key celebrations and traditional festivals to further deepen cultural exchanges.
8. The partnership initiative for sports exchanges. We should continue to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation in sports, including table tennis, dragon boat racing, trail running, marathons, martial arts, cricket, and football. We should jointly organize international sports events and festivals and continue diverse training and exchange programs for coaches and athletes to enhance their performance in regional and international competitions.
9. The partnership initiative for media cooperation. We should deepen cooperation and exchanges in the fields of news, publishing, film, and new media. We should leverage the role of the South and Southeast Asian Media Network and the South and Southeast Asian Journalists’ club to promote the exchange of news, films and television programs, share experiences in book translation and publishing as well as film production, and jointly organize film festivals and media festivals to further enhance cooperation and exchanges in the media sector.
10. The partnership initiative for think tank exchanges. We should support exchanges and forums among experts, scholars, think tanks, and research institutions on topics of mutual interest, including regional development, trade and investment, sustainable development, and the digital economy. We will facilitate think tank forums, mutual visits, joint research initiatives, and the sharing of data and information to enhance cooperation among think tanks.
- THE END -