Guangxi hosts key China-ASEAN events for deeper partnerships

The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo and its summit, scheduled for September in Nanning, Guangxi, are significant this year. They align with the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the signing of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), attracting widespread attention.

Over more than 20 years, these platforms have developed CAFTA from version 1.0 to 3.0. They have facilitated dialogue among over 200 leaders and 4,100 officials, and attracted more than 1.3 million merchants to over 300 events. These efforts have led to key projects and over 100 cooperation agreements, establishing China and ASEAN as the leading trading partners.

This year's events will emphasize digital innovation and CAFTA 3.0, with a focus on AI. An AI pavilion and related forums will foster collaboration, while the summit will strengthen partnerships in digital and green economies — aligning with the new phases of CAFTA 3.0.

Set to speed the implementation of Version 3.0, the events aim to turn their potential into tangible promotion advantages, fostering an open regional economy and reinforcing China-ASEAN relations.