NANNING, south China — The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) wrapped up this month in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, leaving a clear message: China is doubling down on peaceful, prosperous ties with ASEAN nations. Over five days and 160,000 square meters of exhibition space, delegates zeroed in on one theme – artificial intelligence (AI).
At the heart of CAEXPO, AI took center stage. From smart agriculture and green tech to fintech and urban planning, exhibitors showcased how AI can reshape industries and everyday life. For young professionals and tech enthusiasts, the expo served as a live lab for emerging applications that could redefine how we work, travel and connect.
The event also highlighted the newly upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement 3.0, which sets its sights on deepening cooperation in digital and green economies and strengthening supply chain connectivity. These three pillars—digital innovation, sustainability, and seamless trade—are shaping the next wave of growth across the region.
China’s approach to its neighbors rests on principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, inclusivity and a shared future. Against a backdrop of global tensions, Beijing is pushing an "Asian model of security" and using high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to promote stability and economic progress.
ASEAN remains at the core of China’s neighborhood diplomacy. CAEXPO itself has become a symbol of growing trust and strategic consensus. Over 16 consecutive years, China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting a record $694 billion in the first eight months of 2025. Since the first expo in 2004, trade volumes have surged more than sevenfold.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and digital nomads, this partnership signals new opportunities. Whether you’re scouting sustainable investment projects, tracking the next AI breakthrough, or planning immersive travel routes across ASEAN metropolises, the expo’s outcomes offer a roadmap for real-world impact in a rapidly evolving region.
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CAEXPO reaffirms China's commitment to a peaceful, prosperous ASEAN
cgtn.com
