From June 19 to June 24, Kunming in the southwest of the Chinese mainland hosts the 9th China-South Asia Expo, spotlighting green trade, digital trade and regional connectivity.
Bui Lien Thao, a specialist at the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, says the event strengthens import-export ties and modern transport infrastructure cooperation between Vietnam and the Chinese mainland.
Thao highlights the expo’s role in boosting supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties: "Supply chain cooperation with China reduces over-dependence and builds resilience."
More than 2,500 enterprises from China, South Asia and Southeast Asia are exhibiting across 16 halls, with nearly 70 percent dedicated to sectors such as manufacturing, green energy, the coffee industry and traditional Chinese medicine.
At a Chinese manufacturer’s booth, MD Samrat Babor from Bangladesh inspects rows of energy-efficient LED bulbs. "Made-in-China LED lights are now gaining popularity even in rural areas," he says, aiming to source more products for his home market.
The Chinese mainland’s zero-tariff policy for eligible exports from least-developed South Asian countries like Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh provides a platform for local businesses to deepen engagement with the Chinese mainland market.
Ali Azghar Faiz, a carpet merchant from Afghanistan, is exhibiting for the third time. He brought a wider range of designs this year, hoping to "open a door, a window for Afghan products for the Chinese market" and introduce Afghan culture to new audiences.
Since its debut in 2013 alongside the Belt and Road Initiative, the expo has facilitated over $110 billion in foreign trade transactions and served more than 20,000 enterprises.
Data from the Ministry of Commerce shows trade between China and South Asian nations neared $200 billion in 2024, doubling over the past decade at an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent.
At the opening ceremony, Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said the Chinese mainland remains committed to high-quality development and will create valuable cooperation opportunities with countries around the world.
Breaking new ground beyond South Asia, Dubai-based Forevermore Flower Trading signed a 150 million yuan deal with a Yunnan supplier, betting on premium blossoms to win over Middle Eastern markets.
Reference(s):
Expert: China-South Asia Expo promotes regional trade linkage
cgtn.com
