Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn delivers speech at the opening ceremony of 12th China-ASEAN Exposition in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept 18, 2015. [Photo/people.cn]

"In the past eleven years, CAEXPO attracted over 450,000 exhibitors, showcasing business opportunities in areas such as commodities, projects, industrial parks, technologies and tourism. Through this platform, companies from China and ASEAN countries can communicate more effectively." According to Wang Lei, Chief Secretary of ASEAN Secretariat since the 1st CAEXPO in 2004, the exhibition has already became an important platform for regional cooperation in politic, trade and investment.

"We are a private company. CAEXPO can help us to expand at international stage, do more business with ASEAN countries and countries close to 'One Road and One Belt' initiative," said Liu Chenyu, company representative of Yucheng Group, a strategic partner of CAEXPO.

The 21th century Silk Road Forum on International Capacity and Equipment Manufacturing Cooperation is to be featured in this CAEXPO for the first time, China Railway Corpora and CRRC Corp Ltd will participate in this forum to promote high speed railway construction in ASEAN countries.

"Moving forward, the CAEXPO will expand from current '10+1' (10 ASEAN countries and China) to '10+6'(10 ASEAN countries, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India). Maritime Silk Road Initiative will provide solid foundation for growth in China-ASEAN cooperation, especially in the areas such as upgrading China-ASEAN free trade zone, increasing investment and developing trade potentials. The 12th CAEXPO will see some major deals  made in areas like industrial park constructions and cross-border economic cooperation," said Wang Lei.