China and ASEAN open 23rd Expo in Nanning with Timor-Leste as first-time co-organizer

On September 17, 2026, the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened in Nanning, Guangxi, China. The event, themed "CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities, Better Life," was attended by Chinese and foreign leaders. It marks the 5th anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and the inaugural year of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). The expo covers approximately 170,000 square meters, with over 3,400 enterprises from more than 70 countries participating. Timor-Leste made its debut as a formal ASEAN member state and co-organizer, marking the first time all 11 ASEAN countries gathered in Nanning. More than 50 economic and trade promotion activities are planned.