Chinese Vice President Han Zheng held high-level talks with leaders from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, underscoring Beijing's commitment to deepening economic collaboration with Southeast Asian nations. The meetings occurred against the backdrop of the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, a key platform for regional trade discussions.
Held in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region – a strategic gateway connecting the Chinese mainland with ASEAN countries – the expo has drawn over 1,500 enterprises showcasing innovations in digital economy, green energy, and cross-border logistics. Han emphasized China's willingness to 'expand market access and enhance supply chain connectivity' during discussions with Cambodian representatives.
Laotian delegates highlighted progress on the China-Laos Railway project, a $6 billion infrastructure initiative that has increased bilateral trade by 35% since its 2021 launch. Vietnamese officials meanwhile discussed agricultural technology partnerships, building on last year's $236 billion in two-way trade.
Analysts note the expo's timing aligns with ASEAN's projected 4.7% GDP growth for 2023, with the bloc poised to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030. 'These annual meetings have evolved from trade fairs into comprehensive strategy sessions,' said Dr. Li Wei, a regional economist at Renmin University.
The event concludes Friday with the signing of 30+ cooperation agreements spanning smart manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, further cementing China-ASEAN economic integration.
