China-ASEAN Expo kicks off

Watch Video

Play Video

The 6th China-ASEAN Expo has kicked off in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, ASEAN leaders, and representatives of business communities from the 10 ASEAN countries attended this morning's opening ceremony.

This year's five-day fair runs a day longer than usual. This is to maximize regional trade cooperation during difficult times. The number of booths has increased 20 percent from last year, to 4,000. More than 24-hundred companies are expected to attend the expo. Special forums on agriculture and financial services will also be held during the expo.

With increasing trade barriers, this year's expo is seen as an important opportunity to strengthen communication and consultation on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area which will be realized by January 1st, 2010.