The 5th China-South Asia Expo (CSAEXPO) jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Yunnan Provincial Government kicked off in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on June 14. The event, which will last for seven days, has attracted 3,825 companies and organizations from 87 countries and regions in what is the largest attendance in its history.

As the China-South Asia Expo gradually makes a name for itself, it becomes more and more attractive for domestic and overseas enterprises, said Gao Shuxun, Deputy Governor of the Yunnan Provincial Government and board director for the 5th CSAEXPO.

Building on the success of the past four iterations, the CSAEXPO has grown into an important platform for China to deepen its overall multilateral cooperation and exchanges in diplomacy, economics, trade and culture with South Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond.

According to Gao, the expo has 8,500 standard exhibition booths with an exhibition area of 190,000 square meters. More than 42.46 percent of the exhibitors are from abroad, with the expo also having attracted 12 of the world's top 500 companies. Enterprises from Denmark, the Netherlands, Kyrgyzstan and Syria joined the event for the first time.

According to Gao Yan, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce, economic and trade relations between South Asian countries and China have maintained sound momentum. In 2017, trade between China and South Asia reached $126.77 billion. China is also one of largest investors in South Asia. As of April this year, China's direct investment in the region had surpassed $11.84 billion. This close economic and trade relationship has provided the foundation for the success of the CSAEXPO in recent years.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the event, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, Deputy Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, declared that the most important goal of the CSAEXPO is to strengthen cooperation between South Asian countries and East Asia in commerce, science, technology and economics. He believes that this event can provide a unique opportunity for the participating countries to promote and expand their investment and trade not only in South Asia but also in other parts of the world.

Mohaqiq also pointed out that Afghanistan is one of the first countries to have signed the joint agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative with China. The realization of this idea will connect Asia's north and south via Afghanistan and transforming the country into a regional hub.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, Myanmar's Minister of Commerce Than Myint said that the CSAEXPO had been successfully held for five years, attracting a significant number of overseas buyers and guests during this time.

At the expo this year, 64 booths from Myanmar will exhibit the products ranging from agricultural products, foodstuffs, wood, rattan-ware, handicrafts, gemstones and jewelry, as well as a variety of other consumer products.

The expo itself reflects the strong friendship and cooperation between China, South and South East Asian countries—a region full of potential for economic growth and development, the Myanmar official stressed.

Copyedited by Laurence Coulton

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