The online platform of the upcoming 17th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is launched on Oct 30. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The online platform of the upcoming 17th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) was launched on Oct 30, marking the official start of the new year-round operation model of CAEXPO.

Zhou Hongbo, vice chairman of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said that this year's event is held in a special year due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It will establish a new platform for high-level dialogues, as well as build a new growth point for China-ASEAN cooperation in economy and trade.

Virasack Somphong, consul general of Laos in Nanning, speaks at the ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Virasack Somphong, consul general of Laos in Nanning, said that the prime minister of Laos will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the 17th CAEXPO as Laos is the Country of Honor of this year's event. The minister's speech will also be available to watch online.

Song Jie, vice president of Alibaba Group, said that Alibaba will make full use of its advantages in core technologies to build the online platform, setting up different online pavilions on different themes, such as Chinese products, ASEAN countries, as well as the Belt and Road countries.

The platform will also boast matchmaking services between famous electronic commerce platforms from home and abroad, allowing users to purchase products from China, ASEAN, countries and other countries on it.