GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, witnessed by the Rt Hon Eric Pickles, UK Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (hereafter referred to as CCCC) and Atkins Group signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Guangzhou. The two partners will fully share resources, complement each other with respective advantages, and conduct in-depth cooperation globally in infrastructure development, planning and design, to jointly develop an exchange and cooperation platform of the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road".

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The signing of the framework agreement is an important step by CCCC to actively support the strategic masterplan of developing the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road" and the strategic deployment of the "One Belt and One Road", both proposed by Chinese leaders. It also marks CCCC's efforts to achieve strategic transformation and develop itself into a world famous project contractor, comprehensive urban developer and operator, real estate developer with special characteristics, comprehensive infrastructure investor and general contractor of ocean heavy equipment, port machinery manufacturing and system integration. After visiting the Window of Canton commercial complex project, Mr. Eric Pickles remarked that with its idea of respect for history and community revitalization conforming well with the global trend, and its international charm and strong economic and cultural exchange functions comparable to the Canary Wharf riverside commercial zone in London, this project will stand out as a model of old urban district regeneration in the world. Mr. Pickles expressed his willingness to further promote in-depth cooperation between CCCC and UKTI, for them to start a new journey on the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road".

The Chinese leaders' strategic plan of the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road" is of great significance to closer economic and trade ties among China and countries in Europe and Asia, further regional exchanges and cooperation, coordinated domestic and international development, maintaining favorable surrounding environment, and wider opening-up to the outside world. Guangdong Province is now striving to be a pioneer of the development of the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road". With Guangzhou as the starting point, the exchange and cooperation platform of the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road" that Window of Canton helps create will undoubtedly drive Guangdong's further reform and opening-up as well as its transformation and upgrading. It welcomes more countries, regions and outstanding enterprises from around the world to make full use of this platform for enhanced communication, collaboration and win-win, to develop a new pattern for opening-up and cooperation.

As a "national team" in national economic development and global market competition, and a Fortune 500 enterprise, CCCC consistently executes the strategic masterplan of "One Belt and One Road", actively plays the role of an ambassador of economic and cultural exchanges, and fully supports communication and development in the countries and regions along the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road". Currently, CCCC has construction and investment projects around the world, from Malaysia to the Indian Peninsula, from the Middle East to the Mediterranean and the EU. Mr. Zhen Shaohua, Deputy General Manager of CCCC said: "The Window of Canton commercial port is not only a landmark building on the southern end of the axis of Guangzhou, but also a potential major stop of the '21^st Century Maritime Silk Road', with its adjacency to the main route of the Pearl River. With the hardware and services of 'International Cultural and Arts Exchange Centre', 'International Products Display Centre" and "Overseas Investment Service Centre", this project will be developed into a 'world-class, permanent economic, arts and culture exchange platform' that is rooted in Guangzhou and serves the whole world." Witnessed by Mr. Eric Pickles, the brand logo of the Window of Canton commercial complex was unveiled. The Window of Canton commercial complex lies on the extended line of the Pazhou International Conference and Convention Zone, the No. 1 Consular Office Zone and the No. 2 Consular Office Zone, adjacent to Haizhu Ecological Town and the Ten Thousand Mu Orchard. With its modern construction philosophies, the project represents new interpretations of the Lingnan culture, and will become a new urban "window" of Guangzhou. The A District of the project was capped in August 2013, and is to be completed in December 2014.

Atkins Group is an outstanding enterprise of the UK, with rich experience in urban and regional planning, design and execution, social development, exchanges and cooperation. CCCC will draw from its advanced construction ideas and experience in the UK and the whole world to drive the development of the exchange and cooperation platform of the "21^st Century Maritime Silk Road".

SOURCE China Communications Construction Company Ltd.