The city of Kunming is once again buzzing with anticipation as it prepares to host not one, but two grand events that have become cornerstones of the region's annual business calendar. The seventh China-South Asia Expo (CSA Expo) and the 27th China Kunming Import & Export Fair (Kunming Fair) are set to run concurrently from August 16th to 20th.
The Kunming Fair, a global trade extravaganza, is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the People's Governments of several provinces and municipalities, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, and Chengdu. This event is a testament to the power of collaboration, with numerous organizations from across the globe joining forces to create a truly international affair.
As a first, this year's expo will adopt a "dual platforms" approach, combining both online and offline activities, with the main events taking place at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center. The online component will be hosted on the CSA Expo Digital Platform (www.csa-expo.com), ensuring a wider reach and accessibility.
In his congratulatory letter to the organizers, President Xi Jinping emphasized the shared destiny of China and South Asian countries as friendly neighbors and development partners. He expressed China's willingness to use the CSA Expo as a platform to build consensus on unity, cooperation, and development, continuously create new growth points for cooperation, promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, help implement global development initiatives, and jointly create a more prosperous and beautiful future.
The CSA Expo, which has its roots in the South Asian Countries Commodity Exhibition, has grown into a unique national comprehensive expo. It serves as a vibrant platform for China to conduct multilateral diplomacy, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges with South Asian countries. Over the years, the expo has seen the trade volume between China and South Asian countries double from 963.2 billion USD in 2013 to a whopping 197 billion 430 million USD in 2022.
This year's expo is set to be a smorgasbord of economic showcases, with 15 pavilions each dedicated to a different aspect of the economy. From the Resource Economy Pavilion, which will spotlight Yunnan's outstanding advantages in agriculture, minerals, clean energy, culture, and tourism, to the Digital Economy Pavilion, where the world's top 500 and domestic top 500 digital economy enterprises will strut their stuff, there's something for everyone.
The Expo has drawn interest from over 60 countries and regions, with nearly 1000 businesses, including around 50 each from the world's top 500 and China's top 500 companies, set to participate. The event has also attracted participation from all South Asian, Southeast Asian countries, and RCEP member countries, with 28 provinces and cities from within China also set to showcase their offerings.
But it's not all about business. The expo also serves as a cultural melting pot, with the Southeast Asia Pavilion and the South Asia Pavilion providing a platform for cultural exchanges between China and these regions. Visitors can look forward to a feast of characteristic commodities from these regions and a showcase of the achievements of economic and trade cooperation.
The Opening Ceremony Pavilion will house the opening ceremony of the Expo and showcase the image, culture, custom, and commodities of the guests of honor. Meanwhile, the International Pavilion will feature well-known businesses, characteristic products, tourism products and services, technological advancements, as well as results of trade, cooperation, and cultural exchanges from countries and regions worldwide.
In addition to the exhibitions, the Expo will also host over 14 concurrent events, including the 4th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, the 2023 Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor Governors' Forum, the 16th China-South Asia Business Forum, the 4th China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Innovation Cooperation Conference, the 9th China-South Asia and Southeast Asia Think Tank Forum, and the 5th China-Southeast Asia Business Forum.
The CSA Expo is more than just a business event. It's a testament to the growing ties between China and South Asian countries, a celebration of cultural exchange, and a glimpse into the future of global trade. As the city of Kunming prepares to welcome the world, the 2023 China-South Asia Expo promises to be a landmark event that further solidifies Yunnan's position as a global business and innovation hub. So, mark your calendars and brace yourselves for a week of business, culture, and more in the heart of Kunming!
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