23rd China-ASEAN Expo to be held in Nanning from 17 to 21 September
The 23rd China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Expo will take place in Nanning, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, from 17 to 21 September. As a Chinese official said on Tuesday, the expo will feature a number of innovative events focused on trade, enterprises and their applications.
When the countries of Southeast Asia and China come together on one platform, it is not just a trade fair — it is a dialogue of cultures, a meeting of markets and an opportunity for millions to see how technology is changing their daily lives. The expo in Nanning has served as a bridge between Asia's largest economy and the dynamic ASEAN region for more than two decades. This year, it promises to be even more significant: for the first time, all 11 ASEAN countries are participating as co‑organisers, and the focus on artificial intelligence and innovation turns the expo into a window into the future, where every visitor can not only see but also experience tomorrow's technologies.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Lu Xinming, Vice‑Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, told the media about the highlights and innovative solutions of this year's expo. This year, Timor‑Leste will participate as a co‑organiser for the first time, marking the first time all 11 ASEAN countries have gathered in Nanning since the group's expansion. For the first time, the expo will feature a Future Space Pavilion and a Science, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pavilion, as well as an upgraded section dedicated to artificial intelligence, showcasing cutting‑edge AI technologies and applications from the perspectives of consumers, businesses, government and the international community.
"At the expo, visitors can see and test AI‑powered glasses, smartwatches, home AI robots, rehabilitation robots and photovoltaic‑based cleaning robots. For the first time, we have created an 'AI market', selecting 60 companies with products suitable for ASEAN enterprises, and offering more than 400 products that can be tested on‑site and ordered directly. This year's expo is not only a major platform for economic and trade exchange but also a place to experience cutting‑edge technologies," said Lu.
According to the expo secretariat, this year's upgraded ASEAN exhibition area covers about 20,000 square metres, with comprehensive improvements in product structure, the scale of participating countries and the level of industrial cooperation, showcasing new achievements in China‑ASEAN economic and trade cooperation. To address the most important concerns of exhibitors regarding markets and orders, pavilions dedicated to the needs of ASEAN countries have been created for the first time, demonstrating the technological and application needs of ASEAN countries and helping Chinese enterprises make precise connections. The expo also debuts a model where leading companies involve small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). Industry leaders will exhibit their products alongside their partners from related industries, helping SMEs expand their markets. For ordinary visitors, this year's expo offers a wider range of products and opportunities to get up close with high‑tech products.
The China‑ASEAN Expo has been held annually since 2004 and is one of the largest trade and economic platforms between China and ASEAN countries. Over 22 years, the expo has helped strengthen trade ties, attract investment and develop infrastructure projects in the region. In 2025, bilateral trade between China and ASEAN exceeded $1.2 trillion, making ASEAN China's largest trading partner for several consecutive years. Nanning, as the permanent venue, has become an important logistics and business hub in southern China.
As CCTV+ reports, the 23rd China‑ASEAN Expo will be a significant milestone in the history of cooperation between the two regions. The expansion of participants, the introduction of new technology pavilions and the emphasis on practical AI applications reflect the parties' desire to deepen integration and move to a new level of partnership. In the coming years, further growth in mutual trade and investment is expected, and the expo will continue to serve as a reliable bridge for dialogue and cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries.
