China-ASEAN Expo opens

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong, together with leaders of the Chinese Government and other ASEAN countries, attended the opening ceremony of the 7th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in Nanning, China on October 19.

The annual event in Nanning is the largest-scale investment-trade exchange between ASEAN and China.

The 7th CAEXPO (October 20-24), features over 4,000 booths, including 3,200 booths from Chinese businesses, displaying mechanical, transport and food processing products along with building materials, electronics, etc.

The event was held firstly in Nanning in 2004, following initiatives by China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and received positive response from ASEAN leaders.

The event this year was held under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) which was officially established on January 1, 2010, and promised to new and closer cooperation opportunities between China and ASEAN.

174 Vietnamese businesses took part in the CAEXPO this year with 190 stalls displaying agricultural products, wood, arts and handicrafts, garments, textiles and tourism products. In 2009 Vietnamese businesses signed a total of US$100 million worth of contracts with international counterparts.

Later, the same day, Vietnam’s Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong attended the 7th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and visited Vietnamese booths at the CAEXPO. – VOV

Tags: CAEXPO 2010, China ASEAN Expo