The 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) kicked off in Nanning this week, spotlighting a bold vision for regional collaboration that’s more than just trade booths and deals. Think of it as Asia’s ultimate ✨collab✨ moment, blending ancient trade routes with modern diplomacy!
Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s opening speech set the tone, doubling down on building a “closer China-ASEAN community” 🤝. He emphasized ASEAN’s central role in shaping regional policies—a direct nod to recent ASEAN talks in Jakarta where member states pushed for stronger decision-making power.
Why does this matter? “ASEAN countries are where the Belt and Road meets land and sea,” Li noted, reviving the spirit of ancient trade networks like the Tea Horse Road 🌄 and Malacca’s maritime hubs. It’s a strategic play to strengthen economic ties while diplomatically countering efforts by the U.S. to “turn platforms like RCEP into geopolitical tools,” as analyst Daryl Guppy highlighted.
Guppy, a long-time CAEXPO participant, compared this year’s event to the 2014 debut of China’s Belt and Road vision. Back then, it reshaped regional business for over a decade—and 2023’s focus on ASEAN centrality could do the same. 🌐💼
With over a decade of trust-building, CAEXPO isn’t just about silk and soybeans. It’s where policy meets practicality, ensuring Southeast Asia stays at the heart of Asia’s growth story. Stay tuned—this partnership’s next chapter is just beginning. 🚀
