Nanning, China – The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo opens this Wednesday in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as officials and entrepreneurs gather to supercharge regional trade and innovation.
By Sunday, all inbound exhibits had arrived, and the vast expo grounds were buzzing with activity. Shipping containers of specialty foods, cutting-edge cosmetics and tech prototypes lined dedicated customs channels, ready for display.
"Nanning Customs has rolled out 15 fast-track measures, from simplified paperwork to priority lanes, to ensure smooth clearance and setup for ASEAN exhibitors," explains Pang Xiaoning, senior official at Nanning Customs. For young global entrepreneurs, this means more time pitching ideas and less time on red tape.
According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), China-ASEAN goods trade surged 9.7% year-on-year in the first eight months of this year. Imports and exports hit 4.93 trillion yuan, making up 16.7% of the nation's total foreign trade and outpacing overall growth by 6.2 percentage points.
Lyu Daliang of the GACC highlights a nearly 18-month streak of trade growth with ASEAN, fueled by deepening industrial and supply chain integration. "Alongside CAEXPO, the upcoming CAFTA 3.0 framework will open new sectors for cooperation and strengthen regional economic integration," he says.
For digital nomads and travelers, the expo doubles as a cultural showcase: from tea artisans in Chiang Mai to sustainable fashion startups in Ho Chi Minh City, the diversity of exhibits reflects the vibrant ties across borders. Attendees can expect immersive pavilions, panel talks on green supply chains and live demos of AI-powered logistics solutions.
As negotiations on CAFTA 3.0 gain momentum, the expo is more than a marketplace – it's a real-time lab for the next wave of China-ASEAN collaboration. Whether you're a business whiz, a sustainability advocate or a curious visitor, Nanning is the place to spot tomorrow's trade trends today.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
