The 20th China-ASEAN Expo officially commenced on September 17, 2023, marking two decades of strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This milestone expo underscores the enduring economic and collaborative bonds that have been cultivated over the past 20 years.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the grand opening ceremony in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The event also saw the attendance of prominent ASEAN leaders, including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Indonesia's Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
For the 14th consecutive year, China has maintained its position as ASEAN's largest trading partner. Since 2020, the two sides have been each other's largest trading partners for three consecutive years. The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has further advanced the construction of the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, reinforcing their mutual status as top trading partners. Additionally, China has emerged as a significant foreign investor in ASEAN countries.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn highlighted the expo's role as a pivotal platform for fostering trade, investment, and tourism between China and ASEAN over the past two decades. He emphasized the expo's inclusive nature and its contribution to the robust economic cooperation between the two regions.
The collaboration facilitated by the China-ASEAN Expo has expanded beyond traditional trade and investment. It now encompasses international production capacity cooperation, finance, the digital economy, health, tourism, and education, among other sectors. This comprehensive bilateral partnership reflects the dynamic and multifaceted relationship that continues to drive growth and innovation across China and ASEAN member states.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
