Greater Mekong Sub-regional Geo-economic Studies

The globalization of economy and integration of region has become great trend in political and economic development of the world. To avoid being marginalized, every nation begins to push forward economic development by regional cooperation within small scope. Being a form of integration of region, economic cooperation in sub-region plays an important role in East Asian region. In this situation, the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) economic cooperation appears. Located at the joint region of China, Southeast Asia and South Asia, the GMS plays an important role in the aspects of natural resources development, market potential, security strategy, etc. At present, the GMS is facing the greatest opportunities that have never appeared before. Meanwhile, it has become focus of the competition among many nations. China's participation in the GMS economic cooperation can improve its understanding and friendship with other five nations in the GMS so as to guarantee the peace and stabilization in the region, strengthen the friendly relationship between China and ASEAN nations and create a sound surrounding environment for its development.Although the development of the GMS economic cooperation is rapid, China is still facing many difficulties and problems as follows:the economic development of the nations within the region is on very different levels, economic development is unbalanced, the nations only consider about their own benefits during the process of cooperation, the infrastructure is backward, industry, science and technology are all on very low level, chaos caused by war, drug, etc. The above-mentioned problems have obstructed economic development of the GMS and the implementation of China's peaceful development strategy.In consideration of current situation and present problems existing in the GMS, the following measures should be taken:provide capital loan for the nations in the region through financial institutions such as ADB, improve the construction of infrastructure, broaden trade among the nations to form trade complementation, consolidate and deepen mutual economic benefit with surrounding nations, actively push forward educational development, strengthen human resources building, raise the level of development of industry, science and technology, carry out opium poppy control alternative planting, etc. Only these measures can make China achieve the sustainable development of its economy, push forward the Development of Western China Strategy, promote prosperity of the six nations and establish stable surrounding environment for the peaceful development of China.