On 15 October 2021, the China-ASEAN Expo Tourism Exhibition (CAEXPOTE) was inaugurated in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Mr. Zhang Xu, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Mr. Li Bin, Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr. Thorir Ibsen, Ambassador of Iceland to China, Ms. Benjamas Tanvetyanont, Consul-General of Thailand in Nanning and other VIP delegates attended the Inauguration Ceremony. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, the Guest Country of Honor, delivered virtual remarks. Ms Li Yaying, Deputy Director of Education, Culture and Tourism Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) joined the Inauguration Ceremony, the Exhibition Halls Touring, the Summit Forum and other relevant activities in Guilin.   

On 15 October, CAEXPOTE Summit Forum was held in Guilin. Vice Minister Zhang Xu, Deputy Director Li Yaying and Mr. Du Haijiang, Party Secretary of the Palace Museum attended and addressed the Forum. The leading tourism experts shared their new experience and insights on digital culture and tourism industry, focusing on the theme of Digital Culture and Tourism, Travel the World Freely.

CAEXPOTE was hosted jointly by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and supported by ACC. The theme of CAEXPOTE 2021 was Deepening Belt & Road Cooperation and Pushing forward Quality Development of Tourism Industry. The total exhibition area covered about 25,000 square meters containing various exhibition blocks, such as tourism image, travel consumption, commodities, equipment, smart tourism and cultural creative products. ACC set up its unique pavilion in the International Hall and promoted ASEAN tourism via displaying the ASEAN cultural and travel features, organising a travel business round-table symposium and responding to inquiries from the visitors during the three-day exhibition from 15 to 17 October.