The ninth China-South Asia Expo will convene in Kunming from June 19-24, bringing together over 1,400 domestic and international companies to explore enhanced trade opportunities between China and South Asian nations. With Sri Lanka as this year’s guest of honor, the event highlights the region’s growing economic integration, as bilateral trade has doubled in the past decade to reach nearly $200 billion in 2023, maintaining a robust 6.3% average annual growth rate according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Commerce Vice Minister Yan Dong emphasized China’s enduring position as the top trading partner for Pakistan and Bangladesh, while noting strong Chinese consumer demand for regional specialties including Nepalese cashmere, Afghan lapis lazuli, Indian jewelry, and Sri Lankan tea. The expo will feature two dedicated South Asian pavilions with nearly 800 booths, including significant representations from India and Pakistan (140 booths each), alongside 11 professional exhibition halls showcasing sectors from green energy to traditional medicine.
Beyond traditional trade in agricultural and mineral products, both sides are accelerating cooperation in emerging fields. “Substantial progress has been made in new energy, photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and digital technology,” Yan noted, calling for expanded collaboration in energy transformation, low-carbon development, and smart manufacturing to strengthen regional supply chain resilience. The vice minister stressed the importance of rejecting unilateral trade barriers while upholding WTO-centered multilateralism.
Yunnan Province, serving as China’s gateway to South Asia, will leverage the expo to deepen cross-border ties in technology, healthcare, and cultural exchange. Vice Governor Liu Yong announced plans to capitalize on China’s tax refund policy for international tourists to boost regional tourism. The event underscores how China’s southwestern frontier is transforming into a hub for pan-Asian economic integration, with the expo providing a platform to translate geographic proximity into shared prosperity across the Global South.
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