Kunming (TDI): The 9th China-South Asia Expo opened Thursday in Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan Province, bringing together business leaders, officials, and exhibitors from across South and Southeast Asia.
The international event is hosting representatives from 73 countries, regions, and global organizations, along with more than 2,500 companies.
The six-day expo is focused on advancing trade, investment, and collaboration in sectors driving future growth.
Sixteen exhibition halls have been set up for the expo, with nearly 70% of the space dedicated to specialized industries such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, traditional Chinese medicine, and coffee production.
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Two pavilions are dedicated specifically to South Asian countries, offering nearly 800 booths in total. India and Pakistan have each set up 140 booths to showcase their exports, innovations, and investment opportunities.
Over the course of the week, around 40 events, including forums, business matchmaking sessions, and investment briefings are scheduled to take place.
This year’s edition is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the provincial government of Yunnan. Officials say the event has become a vital bridge linking China with its South Asian neighbors.
In 2024, trade volume between China and South Asian nations neared $200 billion, more than double what it was ten years ago.
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The Ministry of Commerce reports an average annual growth rate of 6.3% over that period.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said that China remains committed to expanding its global partnerships through openness and high-quality development.
He emphasized the country’s interest in working more closely with South Asia in areas such as digital innovation, green technologies, artificial intelligence, and biomedical research.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
