The news briefing conference for the 16th China-ASEAN Expo gets underway on Sept 20 in Nanning. [Photo/cnr.cn]

The 16th edition of China-ASEAN Expo, running from Sept 21 to 24 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, aims to create more business opportunities in Belt and Road countries and bolster China-ASEAN cooperation through a variety of exhibitions, forums and activities.

The number of participating countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has seen a significant growth in the event, with 131 companies from 20 countries exhibiting their products and technologies, according to a media briefing held on Sept 20.  

The media briefing was organized in Nanning and Gao Feng, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce, shared the details.

The event focuses on the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, a key document released at the 21st China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in Singapore last year. It features communication events, exhibitions and trade talks, seeking to raise China-ASEAN ties to new stages through promoting cooperation in trade, investment, industrial capacity, digital economy, science and technology, finance, e-commerce and tourism.

Gao also revealed that the scale of the event had expanded, with the 16th edition covering a whopping 134,000 square meters and attracting 2,848 exhibitors.

Other highlights of the 16th edition of China-ASEAN Expo include its cutting-edge exhibits and technologies such as 5G, financial big data, iris recognition technology as well as large amount of professional business people.  

The media briefing also unveiled that special exhibition zones and activities will be hosted during the expo, spotlighting hot issues such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, China (Guangxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone, further opening-up of China's financial sector, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the China-ASEAN Information Harbor.