China-ASEAN Expo: Nearly 3,000 exhibitors gather in Nanning

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The China-ASEAN Expo opens on Wednesday in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The event is looking at a 15th straight year of growth, with participants this year coming from as far away as Africa. CGTN's Sun Ye has more.

For a decade and a half, the China ASEAN Expo has been the go-to fair for China and South East Asia. The Ministry of Commerce is co-hosting the event, and says this year it will go to a whole new level.

GAO FENG SPOKESPERSON, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "With the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, the involved countries are set to embark on a new stage of growth. Together, participants will work on building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and pool on one another's strength on innovative growth. Regional cooperation will reach a new high."

SUN YE NANNING "Even before the CAEXPO officially launches, the organizing committee says it's seeing very high enthusiasm for this year. It's predicting a high percentage of returning visitors, at 80 percent in certain sectors, and a large number of newcomers. And spokesperson Gao says this shows the strong market appeal for the region with a population of some 2 billion people."

More than 2,700 exhibitors will be on hand, including those coming from along the maritime Silk Road. Tanzania, which sits at an important juncture on that route, is the special partner this year. And partnership goes beyond trade and economy.

ROMEO JR. ABAD ARCA COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIVISION, ASEAN "Besides trade, we will work on education and youth development."

Cambodia is the guest of honor for the second time at CAEXPO. The fair runs from September 12 to the 15. SY, CGTN, NANNING.