The annual China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, are underway in the southern Chinese city of Nanning. The expo has set up pavilions for trade and investment cooperation, highlighting international economic and industrial links.

The opening ceremony of the 13th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is held in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 11, 2016. (Xinhua/Lu Peng)

This year's China-ASEAN Expo comes at a significant time. 2016 marks the 25 anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue relations and the first year after the ASEAN Community was built.

An array of meeting and forums have been held during the expo, emphasizing cooperation on cross-border e-commerce, finance, science and technology, agriculture and energy.

The theme of this year's China-ASEAN Expo is Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Forging a closer China-ASEAN Community of shared Destiny. More than 26-hundred exhibitors from home and abroad have bring their local commodities on display, that number has reached a historical new high.

This year, Vietnam is the honorary country. And the country continues to send the largest number of enterprises to the expo among the 10 ASEAN nations.

Vietnam has displayed products with potential for exports to China, such as food, wooden furniture, electronic devices and handicrafts.

Many visitors have rushed to the Vietnam exhibition hall for rubber sandals, which are considered as a symbol of Vietnam,

"Our shoes are from Vietnam and our shoes are very popular in China.The shoes are very comfortable. It's endurable and you can wear it indoor and outdoor, it's very soft and comfortable," A Vietnamese seller said.

Many say the expo has provided a platform not only for countries to strengthen relations, but also brings benefits for ordinary people.

"It's very useful to sell your products here, You can sell your products to so many countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, so many visitors come here. They can compare your market, that’s very good for the businessman," An indian visitor said.

"I think this expo is very important for our company to show our products.We have attended nearly 10 expo in China, and this expo is a big one. Lots of visitors here. They are not only Chinese, but also come from Thailand and Malaysia, and Indonesia. We can show our product to them," A Vietnamese seller said.

As maritime cooperation tops the agenda of this year's expo, many enterprises hope they could traveling across the land and sea more often to seek business opportunities from their neighbours.