ASEAN Showcases its Products at China-ASEAN Expo

ASEAN

NANNING, CHINA

Wednesday, 23rd September 2015

ASEAN Showcases its Products at China-ASEAN Expo

The 12^th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) was convened in Nanning City, Guangxi Province of China on 18-21 September with the theme “Maritime Cooperation.” Some 4,600 booths showcased products and services of enterprises from ASEAN Member States (AMS), China and the Republic of Korea, as the Special Guest Country, in 5 pavilions namely, 

(i) commodity trade; 

(ii) trade in services; 

(iii) investment cooperation; 

(iv) advanced technology; and 

(v) cities of charm. 

Products showcased by enterprises from AMS were well received by Chinese trade visitors including rice, coffee, handicraft, wood-based products, agri-food, jewelry and ornaments, education, tourism and financial services. The 12^th China-ASEAN Investment Business Summit (CABIS) and a series of sideline meetings and events were also held.

Thailand is this year’s CAEXPO’s Country of Honor. H.E. General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, reaffirmed commitment towards strengthening regional cooperation with China in his remarks.  Recognising that China is the largest trading partner of ASEAN, while ASEAN is China’s 4^th largest trading partner in terms of exports and the 2^nd largest partner for its import, H.E. Zhang Gaoli, Chinese Vice-Premier emphasised that China is willing to work with ASEAN to accelerate the negotiations on upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). 

The 13^th CAEXPO is scheduled to be held on 23-26 September 2016 coinciding with the commemoration of 20^thyear of Dialogue Relations.  Additional exhibition space is expected with the completion of new exhibition halls in 2016, covering possible areas such as tourism, culture, forestry and infrastructure. Viet Nam will be the Country of Honor in 2016.