Guangxi (VNA) – The 13th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2016) and the 13th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS 2016) opened in Nanning, ℱthe capital city of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 11 with the participation of nearly 2,700 businesses from both sides.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam, the Country of Honour at this year’s event, and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli co-chaired the opening ceremony. Themed "Jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Forging an Even Closer China-ASEAN Community of Common Destiny," the annual event this year has a total area of 130,000 square meters featuring 5,800 pavilions, an increase of 1,200 from the previous event Its six exhibition spaces highlight typical products of ASEAN countries and China, their cooperation in investment cooperation and agriculture, new technologies and trade services. As many as 137 Vietnamese enterprises from 19 localities nationwide are displaying their products at 237 pavilions covering a total area of 5,000 square metres, a rise of 30 percent over 2015. They introduce agro-forestry-fishery products, handicrafts, and consumer goods, which are highly competitive in the Chinese and ASEAN markets. Within the event’ framework, more than 30 forums and seminars will be organised to encourage China-ASEAN cooperation in such fields as education, environmental protection, culture, transport and tourism, together with 72 investment and business exchange events. Along with businesses from China and ASEAN countries, CAEXPO 2016 also attracts enterprises from 31 outside economies of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, including India, Pakistan, the UAE, and other countries along the Belt and Road. First held in Nanning in 2004 following China’s initiative, the exhibition aims to foster friendship and cooperation between China and the ASEAN. CAEXPO 2016 will run until September 14.-VNA