written by Lin Han / translated by Xu Zhiliang

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How Does CAEXPO Serve as a Wind Vane in the Region?

written by Lin Han / translated by Xu Zhiliang

In terms of China-ASEAN cooperation in 2016, there will be a host of favorable opportunities: the political mutual trust and relationship between ASEAN and China will be enhanced when commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relationship between the two sides; more bilateral cooperative projects relating to the Belt and Road will be implemented this year; with the agreements on an upgraded version of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area （CAFTA） being successfully signed, cooperation in all respects will be faced with much more business opportunities. In addition to this, the year 2016 marks the signing of RCEP and the implementation of AIIB, and it is also named as the Year of China-ASEAN Education Exchanges.

People’s Expectations

CAEXPO as a major international event has been playing a pivot role in promoting the friendly cooperation between ASEAN and China, as well as providing the due services and supports for the construction of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road over the years, which is not only co-hosted by China and ASEAN countries in the region but also extra-regional RCEP member states. Moreover, it was listed as one of China’s state-level events concerning foreign affairs （the others are Boao Forum for Asia and Summer Davos） in 2014.

According to the statements of Executive Director of China-ASEAN Business Council Xu Ningning, he stated that CAEXPO serves as a classical public platform created by the 10 ASEAN states and China. Works should be done to better live up to ASEAN’s expectations of CAEXPO by seizing the new historic opportunities, in accordance to the requirements of the Belt and Road Initiative. He also suggested that efforts should be made to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in hosting CAEXPO, increasing the actual economy and trade effects brought by this event, as well as optimizing the preparations and organization of the relevant summits.

Five Cooperation Priorities

CAEXPO can be traced back to the establishment and development of CAFTA, with a view to creating a platform for seeking business opportunities relating to the region. As can be seen from the previous CAEXPOs, there are not only a series of exhibitions and business talks, but also various summits attended by government offi cials, entrepreneurs and scholars & professionals from the region.

The first priority of the 13th CAEXPO is to promote China-ASEAN cooperation to a higher level on the basis of the themes, contents and activities concerning the Belt and Road Initiative. Efforts should be made to highlight fi ve cooperation priorities of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative—policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, fi nancial integrationand people-to-people bonds—through organizing the relevant forums or activities.

Travelling merchants from countries in the region were sincerely saluting CAEXPO, with smiles on their faces.

Expansion of Major Fields

The Vice President of CCEES （China Convention/ Exhibition/Event Society） Li Yongjiang noted that the theme of the 13th CAEXPO should further embody the co-building of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, as well as give prominence to the cooperation in the fields of international capacity, equipment manufacturing, infrastructure connectivity, etc. Besides, with the upgrading of CAFTA, works should be done to push forward the tariff concession, service trade, and opening up to the field of investment, and boost China-ASEAN cooperation in politics, economy and trade, capacity, society, humanity, environmental protection, etc. In addition, the 13th CAEXPO should draw on the establishment of AEC to contribute to the cooperation between ASEAN and China in all respects by linking the construction of 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with the development of AEC.

Continuous Innovation and Upgrade

Throughout the CAEXPO history over the past 12 years, continuous innovation conforming to the current situation serves as the development strategy of CAEXPO. The sponsors have been sparing no efforts in upgrading the summit functions, cooperation mechanisms and value chains, and so on. For example, in 2014, as the negotiation and cooperation on RCEP became the hot topic and growth pole, the sponsors of CAEXPO invited the member states of RCEP to be present in the relevant activities, making signifi cant contributions to the economic development on a larger scale. Holding exhibitions in ASEAN countries is a beneficial attempt to expand the influence of CAEXPO. In 2015, the overseas exhibition of CAEXPO was firstly held in Thailand, making fruitful achievements in promoting China-Thailand cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. As for 2016, Vietnam （the country of honor of the 13th CAEXPO） will be the new overseas stops of CAEXPO.