Billed as one of the four major expos in China, the CAEXPO enters its third edition with more than 3,500 exhibitors expected to arrive in Nanning at the end of October. This year, the event is staged alongside the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit to mark the 15th anniversary of the dialogue relations between ASEAN and China. All eleven leaders from ASEAN and China will participate in the opening ceremony of the 3rd CAEXPO and will also visit the booths.

The Cities of Charm pavilion at the 2nd CAEXPO in 2005

Initiated by the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2004, the annual CAEXPO aims to deepen the strategic partnership between ASEAN and China as well as promote stronger economic ties, investment and people-to-people relations.

Held at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the exposition will consist of four pavilions, namely, Commodity Trade, Investment & Cooperation, Agriculture Advanced & Applicable Technology, and Cities of Charm. The 858 booths from ASEAN will present a wide variety of products ranging from handicrafts to machinery. One highlight of the CAEXPO will be the Cities of Charm Pavilion where each ASEAN country and China will showcase a chosen city and its unique culture. For instance, Indonesia will showcase Semarang while Viet Nam will promote Ho Chi Minh City.

The CAEXPO attracts a large number of buyers and visitors.

Statistics from the 2nd CAEXPO recorded a total of US$1.15 billion trading volume and 3,300 participating booths. Of these, 2,000 were enterprise exhibitors.

China is currently ASEAN’s fifth largest trading partner, with the trade volume in 2005 at about US$130 billion.