With the theme "CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities, Better Life", the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, conclude on Monday in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, heralding the deepening economic ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations under their upgraded free trade agreement.

Underscoring the aim of deepening the pragmatic regional partnership to unlock new development and high-quality regional economic growth, Timor-Leste is participating in the event for the first time as ASEAN's 11th member and an official co-host.

A highlight of this year's expo was the establishment of a new exhibition area dedicated to nearly 100 ASEAN cooperation demand projects, with three special matchmaking sessions held during the event. These projects focus on three clear and pragmatic directions: artificial intelligence empowerment, industrial upgrading, and expanding into the Chinese market. Such a demand-oriented approach demonstrates China's efforts to address the practical needs of ASEAN businesses and foster mutually beneficial outcomes.

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As Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said in his address at the opening ceremony, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and is willing to share its development opportunities with ASEAN countries and promote deep regional economic integration and long-term stable development.

Noting that the CAFTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol has been signed, and both sides are expediting its entry into force and implementation, Ding urged both sides to deepen cooperation in standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment and move faster toward building an integrated regional market that is open, inclusive and rules-based.

The CAFTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol sets out a regional framework covering digital and green economies, cross-border data flows, personal privacy, digital payments, and AI standards. This forward-looking approach positions China and ASEAN to jointly address the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Ding highlighted the need to work together to advance the development of the digital economy in the region, deepen cooperation in technology R&D and scenario-based applications in areas including AI, and fully unleash innovation-driven efficiency.

In an innovative design, the inaugural "AI marketplace" launched at the expo featured about 500 products from over 70 companies across eight categories, such as wearables, health management and consumer technology, allowing visitors to test and buy items on-site.

The focus on AI at the expo reflects the evolving nature of China-ASEAN cooperation, moving from traditional trade to more complex areas such as data governance, AI service pricing and intellectual property.

Beyond these highlights, connectivity has always remained a focal point in the ever-deepening China-ASEAN cooperation, and the fact that the Pinglu Canal connecting Nanning and Beibu Bay officially opened one day before the event served to underscore the growth in cross-border trade between the two sides.

The canal shortens the transport distance between the hinterlands of Southwest China and ASEAN by 560 kilometers, and greatly reduces logistics costs. This infrastructure breakthrough not only enhances connectivity but also creates new opportunities for cross-border trade and industrial collaboration.

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Given that Southeast Asia is home to many natural deep-water ports and over 60 percent of trade in goods between China and ASEAN member states is transported by sea, the transportation cost-cuts offered by the Pinglu Canal will further strengthen and support the high-level development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

Amid global uncertainties and the rise of protectionism, the picture of China-ASEAN trade stands out as a model of stability and injects certainty and confidence into a turbulent world. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $1 trillion for the first time. In the first seven months of 2026, China-ASEAN trade rose 24.7 percent year-on-year to $744.41 billion.

By enhancing trade frameworks and embracing AI, it is believed China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation will become even more dynamic and deliver even greater win-win outcomes.