Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attends opening ceremony of the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo

The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2025) and the 22nd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) officially opened on September 17 in Nanning, Guangxi, China, with the participation of more than 3,200 enterprises from 60 countries. Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attended the event and delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony.

The 22nd CAEXPO is taking place from September 17 to 21, spanning more than 160,000 square meters of exhibition space. This year’s event is themed: “Digital intelligence drives development - Innovation shapes the future - Seizing new opportunities from the China - ASEAN Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Agreement to build a community with a shared future”.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh at the opening ceremony. Source: chinhphu.vn

At CAEXPO 2025, Dong Nai Province is honored to represent 34 provinces and cities of Vietnam in organizing the national pavilion under the theme “Beautiful City - Vietnam.” All products showcased by Dong Nai are among the province’s key exports, many of which have obtained GACC certification from China’s General Administration of Customs, enabling export to the Chinese market. These products also meet export standards for markets such as the United States, Europe, and Japan.

In his address at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh assessed that the 22nd CAEXPO and CABIS will create more momentum to promote cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, particularly in the context of the Protocol to Upgrade the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, which is expected to be officially signed this year.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009, while ASEAN has also become China’s largest trading partner since 2020.

Vietnam is currently China’s fourth-largest trading partner. In recent years, foreign direct investment (FDI) from China into Vietnam has increased sharply, ranking first in the number of newly licensed projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attends the opening of the Vietnam Pavilion at CAEXPO 2025. Photo: Xuan Luong

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh visits the Vietnam Pavilion. Photo: Xuan Luong

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh visits Vietnam’s national pavilion, hosted by Dong Nai Province under the theme “Beautiful City - Vietnam”. Photo: Xuan Luong

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh put forward three proposals for China and ASEAN to build and strengthen mutual trust, promote the spirit of cooperation for mutual development, effectively address issues on the basis of rules, and ensure a balance of interests among all parties concerned.

The proposals include: continuing to open markets and further facilitating trade among countries; actively expediting the procedures for signing and ratifying the Protocol to Upgrade the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Version 3.0 so it can be officially concluded this year; and further enhancing strategic connectivity to boost regional trade, particularly in rail and road transport, thereby completing a multimodal transport network and strengthening ASEAN’s links with China and the Eurasian continent. He also emphasized promoting science and technology cooperation as a new highlight of China-ASEAN collaboration, with priority given to the digital economy, green economy, science and technology, and innovation; along with the development of high-quality human resources, artificial intelligence, and the effective harnessing of achievements and opportunities brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh listens to leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade present Dong Nai’s potential and advantages. Photo: Xuan Luong

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh enjoys a lithophone performance by an artisan from Dong Nai. Photo: Xuan Luong

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh affirmed that with a population of over 100 million and a fast-growing economy, Vietnam is ready to deepen economic cooperation with ASEAN countries, China, and other partners on the basis of “harmonized interests and shared risks” and “win-win outcomes”. He called for joint efforts to build a peaceful, stable and business-friendly environment that supports sustainable development, contributing to the prosperity, peace, and well-being of the region and the world, and delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of all nations.

By Xuan Luong - Translated by Dang Huyen, Minho