China-Asean expo opens

NANNING, China — The 7th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) opened yesterday with an expectation of significant developments and accomplishments as in the past years of the annual event.

The opening ceremonies was held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nanning, China.

Thousands of delegates from China and the 10 member- states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as well as visitors from different countries and VIPs attended the event.

Among the Philippine delegates was Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr.

Philippine-Chinese community business leaders also attended the event.

A booth from the Philippines made by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is on display during the duration of the CAEXPO.

With the joint efforts made by China and the Asean countries, plus with the active participation and full support of different communities, the CAEXPO has earlier successfully concluded for six sessions, the deputy director general of Trade Development Bureau of Ministry of Commerce of China said yesterday.

At a news conferenceDeputy Director General Jia Guoyung said the previous CAEXPOs have altogether attracted 35 heads of states, 216,400 exhibitors and trade visitors and total trade volume worth $8.171 billion.

Jia said the CAEXPO has become an important platform for the friendly exchanges, business promotion and cooperation in a wide range of fields between China and the Asean.

He said the China Asean Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) that is held concurrently with the CAEXPO has grown to be a platform for dialogues between political and business communities of China and the Asean countries.