On October 21, 2023, the 7th China Frontier Economy Forum for Opening-up and Development and Bortala Belt and Road Forum was successfully held in Bortala, Xinjiang. The event was co-hosted by Guangxi University (GXU) and the government of the Xinjiang Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, with joint participation from China Frontier Economic Research Institute of GXU, School of Economics/China-ASEAN Institute of Financial Cooperation of GXU, Institute of International Economy of the University of International Business and Economics, and the Research Institute of Frontier Opening-up and Development in Dongxing, among other organizations. Qian Keming, member of National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice Chairman of the Committee for Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports, Wang Naixue, Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region CPPCC and Secretary of the CPC GXU Committee, and Ba Yin Ke Xi, Governor of the Xinjiang Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Zheng Xinli, the former Deputy Director of the Central Policy Research Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a keynote presentation titled The Great Achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Opportunities it Brings to Xinjiang's Economic Development. The opening ceremony was presided over by Du Yingkun, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Bortala Prefecture, and the theme report session was moderated by Xia Guoen, a member of Party Committee and Vice President of GXU.

Qian Keming pointed out that over the past decade, the BRI has achieved abundant results, providing vast opportunities for the external cooperation, opening-up and development of China's frontier regions. The significance of holding the 7th China Frontier Economy Forum for Opening-up and Development on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the BRI is profound. It provides valuable insights and experiences to promote high-level openness and modernization in frontier regions, to pioneer a new era of frontier research with Chinese characteristics, to enhance frontier governance in the new era, and to achieve national security, ethnic unity, frontier stability, opening-up and development. He emphasized that frontier regions, as the forefront of opening-up and development, bear a special mission and significant responsibility in the new era. They must explore new approaches to economic development in frontier areas by applying Xi Jinping Thought on Economy, innovate new models for economic development in collaboration with neighboring countries, and cultivate new drivers for economic development in frontier regions through technological innovation integration. He expressed his hope that through this forum, various parties can come together, combine their wisdom, and provide new ideas and contributions for the opening-up and development of the frontier economy in the face of new challenges and for the prosperity and stability of frontier regions. This effort will help drive the construction of a theoretical framework for frontier economy and guide its development.

Wang Naixue pointed out that holding the 7th China Frontier Economy Forum for Opening-up and Development against the backdrop of the 10th anniversary of the BRI is of significant importance. It allows for a thorough examination of the impact and experiences gained in the past ten years regarding the development of frontier economies under the BRI. As one of the nine frontier provinces in China, Guangxi must continuously implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and promote the high-quality development of ethnic minority areas in the frontier regions. Guangxi University, as the only Project 211 university in Guangxi, with a focus on the two major characteristics of ASEAN and frontier ethnic minorities, has deeply integrated into the BRI. It is implementing an international development strategy that involves cultivating within ASEAN and facing the world. GXU emphasizes the unique characteristics of frontier ethnic minorities and nurtures a research team dedicated to frontier economics. This team conducts in-depth research on the patterns of frontier economic development and existing challenges, providing intellectual and talent support for the opening-up and development of Guangxi's economy in the new era. He hopes that this forum can play a more significant role in better integrating with the BRI, promoting the development of frontier areas, enriching the people, and achieving high-quality economic development in frontier regions. This, in turn, will advance the integration of theory and practice in frontier economic development and facilitate the involvement of frontier provinces in the BRI, as well as continue to strengthen the construction of a new intellectual hub for frontier economics.

Ba Yin Ke Xi expressed that hosting the forum in Bortala, Xinjiang, as an important node along the Belt and Road, has provided Bortala with a valuable platform for learning, exchange, showcasing, and development. The forum will provide a platform for collaborative discussions on achieving high-quality development in frontier economies, promoting coordinated development in frontier economic regions, sharing the fruits of frontier economic development, further advancing open, green, clean, high-standard, high-quality, and people-benefiting sustainable development in frontier regions. It aims to strengthen interactions, exchanges, and integration among various ethnic groups in frontier areas, fostering a stronger sense of a shared community among the Chinese nation. He sincerely hopes that everyone can take the opportunity to further explore and promote Bortala and share in the development opportunities that Bortala has to offer.

Zheng Xinli pointed out in his report that the BRI, as an exemplar of global economic cooperation, has had a profound impact on the process of economic globalization. It aligns closely with the development strategies of various countries and has created a new platform and mechanism for international economic cooperation. BRI is a significant measure for implementing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and the three global initiatives. The remarkable achievements of the Belt and Road construction have brought significant opportunities for the development of Xinjiang. Looking back on the decade of BRI, it has achieved remarkable success and become an important force in promoting global economic openness, development, and maintaining regional peace and stability.

Du Yingkun pointed out that the convening of the 7th China frontier Economic opening-up and development and Bortala "Belt and Road" Forum has boosted the confidence and determination of Bortala in carrying out effective external opening and promoting high-quality economic development. It has also strengthened Bortala's sense of responsibility and mission in integrating into and serving the BRI. He also presented the Bortala Integration and Service to the Belt and Road Construction Development Report from the perspectives of strengthening political responsibilities and serving national strategies, leveraging geographical advantages to facilitate the Eurasian passage, and harnessing platform advantages for integrated development. This report comprehensively showcases the achievements and vision of Bortala's integration into and service to the Belt and Road construction.

Xia Guoen pointed out that the theme of this forum aligns with the major national development strategy and the local development needs of Bortala. The innovative organizational format represents a beneficial experiment and a demonstration of inter-provincial cooperation between Guangxi University and the local government. It will effectively contribute to promoting high-quality development in the open economy of frontier regions. Currently, Guangxi University is actively promoting the construction of a distinctive Double First-Class university with the characteristics of Guangxi, Chinese characteristics, a global perspective, and a world-class status while firmly rooted in the Guangxi region. He looked forward to welcoming forum participants to visit Guangxi University and witness the development efforts.

During the conference, experts and scholars delivered presentations on the forum's theme, including topics such as Changes in the Domestic and International Economic Environment and frontier Economic Development, Deep Integration into the Co-construction of the Belt and Road to Promote High-Quality Development in Frontier Regions, and The Considerations on Current Status and Future Development of China's frontier Economic Development in the New Situation.

The forum featured the release of the annual report titled 2023 China Frontier Economic Opening-up and Development Annual Report from Guangxi University's China Frontier Economic Research Institute. Additionally, during the event, there was a ceremony to establish the Frontier Economic Cooperation Professional Committee of the China Association of International Economic Cooperation (AFIEC), and appointments were made for the part-time vice presidents of AFIEC and the directors of the China Frontier Economic Research Institute.

The joint initiative of establishing the Frontier Economic University Think Tank Alliance involves several institutions, including Guangxi University's School of Economics (China Frontier Economic Research Institute), Liaoning University's Russia-Mongolia Research Center, Yunnan University's School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yanbian University's Korean Peninsula Research Institute, Heilongjiang University's School of Economics and Business Administration, and Inner Mongolia University's School of Economics and Management. This alliance reflects a collaborative effort among these academic institutions to enhance research and expertise in the field of frontier economics.

In the high-level dialogue sessions of the sub-forums, the participating experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on three main themes: The 10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road and Frontier Economic Development, Innovation and Development of Frontier Economics in the Digital Age, and Frontier Economic Development in the New Era and Cooperation with Neighboring Countries. Additionally, a round-table discussion was held, during which recommendations and insights were provided to contribute to the economic development of Bortala.

This forum received guidance and support from CAFIEC, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Peking University's Institute of Area Studies, and the East Asian Studies Center of Renmin University of China. The China Frontier Economy Forum for Opening-up and Development had successfully organized six previous sessions which have progressively attracted more government policymakers, academic resources, and research capabilities, effectively serving both national strategies and local development needs. It has become an important research platform for the high-quality development of frontier regions and a communication platform for central government departments to engage with frontier municipalities and regions.