The 7th China-ASEAN Expo opened in Nanning International Convention Center in Guangxi on October 19. Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Political Bureau and Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), declared open Gao Hucheng, China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce, addressed the opening ceremony.
Gao said, China and ASEAN are good friends and neighbors as well as good partners. In recent years, new development in the trade and economic relations of the two sides is constantly coming forward. Particularly, with the common efforts in past 10 years, China-ASEAN FTA was established on January 1st as scheduled, which marked that the trade and economic cooperation of the two sides entered into a new phase of comprehensive and in-depth development. China-FTA Expo promoted the construction of the FTA, provided convenience in investment and trade for enterprises and people of China and ASEAN, and made mutual benefit and win-win outcome.
He also stated that this Expo would fully demonstrate China-ASEAN FTA achievements, which could bring more benefits for enterprises and people of the two parties. Gao hoped that all countries could take the opportunity of the FTA to make joint efforts to enhance the cooperation on a wider range and higher level, and make new contributions to promoting the common development and prosperity of this region.
It is the first year after the establishment of China-ASEAN FTA. The Expo, as the theme of FTA & New Opportunities, will focus on the demonstration of FTA achievements and prospect.
Boediono, Vice President of Indonesia, addressed the opening ceremony of the Expo. Asang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Truong Vinh Trong, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, and ministerial representatives from China and ASEAN member countries were present at the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Vice Minister Gao also attended the opening ceremony of the 7th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and addressed the Round-table Dialogue between Indonesian Vice President Boediono and Chinese businessmen.
