According to Beijing Daily, on November 27, the 17th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened in Nanning, Guangxi.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the full-scale establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the year of China-ASEAN Digital Economic Cooperation, and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) promoted by ASEAN at its core.
At the opening ceremony, eight foreign leaders, including Laos and the Philippines, delivered video speeches. Philippine President Duterte said:
“This important annual event will be crucial to strengthening China’s multilateral relations with ASEAN countries, especially at a time when we are facing the challenges and uncertainties of the economic recession caused by the COVID-19 epidemic together.
The Philippines is grateful for China’s large investment in the region in the fields of trade, infrastructure, telecommunications and transportation, which have promoted the economic integration of the region, increased productivity and consolidated financial stability.
Let’s further strengthen friendly cooperation among countries and achieve the goal of the regional comprehensive economic partnership under the blueprint of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030. Please believe that the Philippines has always been a firm partner in promoting the common prosperity of the China-ASEAN Economic Community.