Themes from the 14th China-ASEAN Expo

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The 14th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) wrapped up its three-day show on Friday in Nanning, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, as well as being the China-ASEAN year of tourism.

The CAEXPO's focus was on building the 21st century maritime Silk Road and promoting regional economic integration through tourism. Below are some of the themes observed at this year's expo.

Leaders from ASEAN countries and countries along the Belt and Road routes made their first appearance at the CAEXPO. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attended meetings at the expo.

CGTN Photo

There was also an increase in the number of countries and organizations who joined the expo. A total of 2,709 enterprises attended this year's event, a 1.5 percent rise from last year.

The 2017 expo saw 95 investor and buyer groups, 6.7 percent more than last yea. It drew 4,000 international buyers from ASEAN countries, Middle East, US, Europe, South Asia, and Africa.

The China-ASEAN Summit Forum on Financial Cooperation & Development. /CAEXPO Photo

Another major trend was the focus on corporations. Forums like the China-ASEAN Summit Forum on Financial Cooperation and Development promoted businesses and their role in tourism.

With the focus on corporations, CAEXPO promoted previous construction projects, covering a wide range of fields like manufacturing, trade and logistics, tourism, and infrastructure of transport and energy.

CAEXPO's emblem is inspired by the Chinese Hibiscus. /CAEXPO Photo

Since 2004, more than 584,000 traders have attended the expo, attracting both domestic and international investment opportunities.

The stable bilateral relationships among ASEAN countries contribute to the success of CAEXPO. The expo has also become a large platform for cultural exchanges, business promotions, and friendly corporations among ASEAN countries.

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