As for cooperation with Guangxi's second largest source of investment - members of ASEAN - he said Guangxi will "implement a more proactive opening-up strategy" in the days to come.

While continuing to attract investment from ASEAN countries, Guangxi-based enterprises are encouraged to "go out" and expand investment in ASEAN countries for a bigger market share, he said.

In addition to the joint industrial park in Malaysia and an economic and trade cooperation zone in Indonesia, both under construction, Guangxi will also promote the establishment of more economic cooperation zones or manufacturing bases in Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, he said.

Peng also stressed that Guangxi's development will not be to the detriment of its environment, which is currently one of the best in China. The autonomous region boasts 61 percent forest coverage. The air quality of Guangxi, even in its urban areas, is some of the best in the country.

Guangxi will develop low emissions and a circular economy to maintain its core competitive attribute, which is its good ecological environment, he said.

Bio

Peng Qinghua, born in Daye county, Hubei province in 1957, started working in 1974 and served in various posts in his home county during the 1970s.

In 1979

He attended Peking University and studied in the Department of Philosophy. After graduation, he began serving in the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China in 1983.

In 1988

He became a secretary of the CPC Organization Department and the deputy director and later director of a research institute on Party development under the CPC Organization Department.

He also served as editor-in-chief of a magazine on Party development research, and director of the CPC Organization Department's research office.

During this period, he pursued a master's degree at the International Business School of Hunan University from 1993 to 1996, and studied at the management school of Sun Yat-sen University for a doctorate from 1996 to 2001.

In 2003

He was appointed deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In 2009

He became the director of the Liaison Office, before he was named Party chief of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in 2012.

Contact the writers at [email protected] and [email protected]

Huang Feifei contributed to this story.