On 4 July 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) sponsored a promotional event for CAEXPO to be held in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the upcoming September. H.E. Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ACC hosted H.E. Assistant Minister Nong Rong of Foreign Affairs of China, H.E Vice Governor Sui Guohua of the Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, H.E. Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh of Lao PDR, H.E. Ambassador Pham Sao Mai of Viet Nam and H.E. Ambassador Peter Tan of Singapore. Diplomatic envoys from other AMS Embassies in China, officials from Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Guangxi Foreign Affairs Office, CAEXPO Secretariat and China-ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (CABIS) Secretariat were also present.

Assistant Minister Nong Rong applauded CAEXPO as an important national-level platform for exchanges, an accelerator for enhancing cooperation, an incubator for business opportunities, and a booster to economic integration between China and AMS. CAEXPO itself has also demonstrated the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness guiding China’s neighborhood diplomacy, and served as a shining example of solidarity, cooperation and shared development among Asian countries. The Foreign Ministry of China fully supports Guangxi in playing a unique and pioneering role in China-ASEAN relations, and stands ready to work with the related parties to well prepare for the 20th CAEXPO, continue to better use the “Nanning Channel”, and build on the golden brand of CAEXPO. 

Vice Governor Sui Guohua made a presentation on the development and achievements of CAEXPO and stressed that, with the theme of “Work together for a Harmonious Home and a Shared Future - Promoting the High Quality Development of the BRI and Nurturing New Growth Epicenters”, the 20th CAEXPO and CABIS will be held in Nanning of Guangxi on 16 to 19 September for China and AMS to explore new drivers for economic growth and expand areas of practical cooperation. As a gateway of China's opening up and cooperation with ASEAN, Guangxi stands ready to work with AMS to further deepen all-round cooperation, make the most of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and tap into huge market potential for free trade. 

Secretary General Shi stated in his remarks that the CAEXPO has been playing a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation and trade between ASEAN and China, with bilateral trade volume topping US$1 trillion in 2022 and making China ASEAN's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. The CAEXPO came into being in conjunction with China’s historic accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) 20 years ago and stands out as an indispensable platform for advancing friendly exchanges between ASEAN and China. Under the new circumstances, the ACC will spare no efforts in further deepening its participation in CAEXPO endeavor to better promote friendly communication, practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and win-win results between ASEAN and China. 

Ambassador Khamphao said that, for the past 20 years, the CAEXPO has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening economic ties, fostering regional integration, and promoting mutual understanding between ASEAN and China, thus becoming a testament to the unwavering commitment of AMS and China to foster economic cooperation and regional integration. The Lao PDR encourages all participants to actively engage in the upcoming CAEXPO, explore new opportunities and embrace emerging technologies including the digital economy, e-commerce and green transformation, so as to further enhance regional prosperity and contribute to the well-being of the peoples in the region.