China-South Asia Expo Fosters Economic and Trade Cooperation

The 9th China-South Asia Expo has evolved from a platform of display to one that fosters deep industrial integration, green innovation, and regional coordination, showcasing the transformation of Sri Lankan businessman U.A. Ajith's coconut shell crafts to a comprehensive coconut industry chain. The expo has provided steady momentum for regional growth and injected greater certainty to the global economy, fostering economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries. This year's event welcomed participation from 73 countries, regions, and international organizations, and brought together over 2,500 enterprises from across South and Southeast Asia.

Key Takeaways:

• The China-South Asia Expo has grown in both size and scope since its launch in 2013, with this year's event featuring 73 countries, regions, and international organizations, and over 2,500 enterprises from across South and Southeast Asia.
• The number of pavilions has expanded from six to 16, with nearly 70 percent dedicated to professional sectors such as manufacturing, green energy, coffee industry, and traditional Chinese medicine.
• Trade between China and South Asia reached nearly 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, doubling over the past decade with an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Commerce of China.
• China has maintained its status as the largest trading partner for countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, with South Asian products continuing to find favor among Chinese consumers.
• China has taken concrete steps to support South Asian exports, including launching joint research initiatives with Pakistan, promoting seafood exports from the Maldives, and establishing trade groups with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• China's willingness to import more high-quality goods and services is encouraging for Sri Lankan producers, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, apparel, and wellness products, said Prasad Wijesuriya, general secretary of the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association.
• China has expanded cooperation with South Asian countries in emerging fields, such as new energy, photovoltaics, electric vehicles, digital technology, and cross-border e-commerce, to achieve complementary advantages.
• The China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement came into effect this year, and negotiations are underway to upgrade the investment agreement with Bangladesh.
• China has granted zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for the least developed countries in South Asia, including Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
• China remains committed to high-level opening up and is advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development, creating valuable opportunities for cooperation with countries around the world, including those in South Asia, said China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong.

Statistics:

• Trade between China and South Asia reached nearly 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, doubling over the past decade with an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent.
• China has maintained its status as the largest trading partner for countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Over 2,500 enterprises from across South and Southeast Asia participated in this year's China-South Asia Expo.
• 73 countries, regions, and international organizations participated in this year's expo.
• 16 pavilions were featured at this year's expo, with nearly 70 percent dedicated to professional sectors.

Sources:

• Xinhua writer Wu Yan
• Ministry of Commerce of China
• Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association
• China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Yan Dong
• Comtex_466597596/2272/2025-06-23T00:39:55
• XINHUA NEWS AGENCY