Nanning: The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2026 and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) commenced today, marking a pivotal moment in economic and trade cooperation and regional economic integration.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang highlighted the events' role as critical platforms for sharing development opportunities. He emphasized the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) as the largest free trade area in the two hemispheres, officially established in January 2010, which opened new doors for China-ASEAN economic and trade relations.

Ding noted the significant achievements and rapid development since the establishment of CAFTA, including improvements in the quality of bilateral trade. Notably, China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for the past six years. In 2025, bilateral trade surpassed US$1 trillion, an 18-fold increase since 2002, with investment cooperation deepening and cumulative two-way investment exceeding US$510 billion.

He pointed out that ASEAN has become a key destination for Chinese companies' overseas investments, while China continues to supply high-quality goods and services to ASEAN countries, enhancing regional economic integration. Ding highlighted progress in infrastructure development and improvements in people's livelihoods, with economic and trade cooperation creating numerous job opportunities and increasing incomes.

Ding urged both sides to collaborate on advancing CAFTA 3.0 development, exploring economic and trade cooperation potential, strengthening regional economic integration, and promoting prosperity and development globally. He also proposed enhanced cooperation in digital and green economies, improved connectivity, and deeper collaboration in agriculture, industrial, and services sectors.

CAEXPO 2026 will run until September 21, while CABIS will take place until September 19.