Closer regional cooperation high on agenda

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The China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is one of the most important events during the annual China-ASEAN Expo. This year's summit is focusing on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the integration of the ASEAN countries.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN leaders attended the opening session of the summit this morning. Nearly 1,500 business leaders, scholars and representatives of international organizations are attending. Organizers say high on the agenda are discussions of closer regional cooperation to cope with the global financial crisis and ways to maintain long-term common prosperity in the region.

A series of high-profile meetings have also been arranged, including a round-table dialogue between political leaders and CEOs, academic forums and group interviews with ASEAN business leaders.

Leaders cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the 6th China-ASEAN Exposition (CAEXPO) in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Oct. 20, 2009. The 6th CAEXPO kicked off in Nanning on Tuesday.(Xinhua/Zhou Hua)