13th China-ASEAN Expo opens in Guangxi

Zhang Gaoli, Chinese Vice-Premier, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of 13th China a-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, September, 11, 2016. [Photo by Huo Yan/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 13th China-ASEAN Expo opened on Sunday in Nanning, capital city of China's southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and the beginning of the full-range development of China-ASEAN free trade zone. It has also seen various Belt and Road projects carried out.

This year's expo and summit hope to promote new cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in areas such as capacity cooperation, Belt and Road Initiative, China-ASEAN Information Harbor among others.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and political leaders of ASEAN countries attended the opening ceremony and Zhang delivered the keynote speech.

"For 25 years, the relations between China and ASEAN counties have developed fast and both sides have forged one of the closest ties," Zhang said.

"The development of China-ASEAN friendship is an essential contribution to the global stabilization," Zhang added.

"The result of the China-ASEAN cooperation is solid and the joint development of the two sides brings real benefits to the people," Zhang added.

Zhang put forward proposals to further improve the cooperation between China and the ASEAN countries.

For the first, he proposed to improve development of inclusiveness and realize the connection of strategic development plans.

"We will continue to promote the 2+7 Cooperation Framework and Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanism for common future," Zhang said.

He called for capacity cooperation between the two sides to realize complementary development.

Zhang said an open market is essential to the economic and trade cooperation and the two sides should lower tariff to promote trade and investment.

He also said the ties should be strengthened to bring more benefits to the people.

The four-day 13th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will last until September 14.