PHNOM PENH — The ongoing 8th China-South Asia Exposition will serve as an important platform for trade, investment and tourism promotion as well as cultural exchanges in the region, a senior Cambodian official said.

The expo was first held in Kunming, Yunnan province, in 2013, the year when China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the expo will be a key event for economic and trade exchanges between China and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

"The expo will serve as an important platform to bridge and deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade, investment, tourism and culture among all participating countries and regions," Sovicheat told Xinhua News Agency.

"It will play a significant role in helping promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation for mutual interest, common development and shared prosperity," he added.

The spokesman said the expo will be a golden opportunity for businesses and industry associations to showcase their products and establish trade linkages with not only China, but also countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

"It will inject fresh impetus into the development of economic and trade exchanges among all participating countries and regions, providing tangible benefits to the peoples of China and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia," he said.

Sovicheat said the expo truly shows solidarity and cooperation between China and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia in promoting free trade and multilateralism against the backdrop of trade protectionism and anti-globalization.

According to the official, Cambodia joins this trade event every year as it is a unique opportunity to display the kingdom's potential products, not only to Chinese consumers, but also to other regional and global buyers and trade partners.

"It will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our potential products, particularly high-quality agricultural products such as milled rice, bananas, mangos, longans and peppercorns among others, to Chinese and international buyers," he said.

"We expect that the expo will further promote trade, investment, tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges between Cambodia and China as well as all participating countries," he added.

Xinhua