The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) opened in Nanning this week, spotlighting digital transformation and regional economic resilience amid global trade headwinds. With over 3,200 companies from 60 countries and regions participating, the event underscores deepening ties between the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia under the theme "Digital Intelligence and Innovation Empower Development."
A first-of-its-kind 10,000-square-meter AI pavilion features tech giants like Huawei and Alibaba Cloud alongside startups, signaling a shift toward high-value industries such as smart agriculture and green energy. The expo coincides with the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), with negotiations accelerating for the upgraded CAFTA 3.0 protocol to streamline cross-border trade and supply chains.
Analysts highlight the expo\u2019s strategic timing as Western protectionism reshapes global commerce. "China and ASEAN\u2019s partnership counters fragmentation," noted one observer, emphasizing the bloc\u2019s role as the Chinese mainland\u2019s largest trading partner since 2020. CAFTA 3.0 aims to expand digital economy collaboration and align with Belt and Road Initiative goals, offering new opportunities for Global South engagement.
With ASEAN projected to become the world\u2019s fourth-largest economy by 2030, the expo serves as a blueprint for cross-civilization cooperation, blending cutting-edge innovation with cultural diplomacy.
