On 13 June 2018, the welcoming activities of the 5th China-South Asia Exposition & 25th China Kunming Import & Export Fair were held at the Inter Continental Kunming. H.E. Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, Second Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan, H.E. Sonexay Siphandone, Vice Prime Minister of Lao PDR, H.E. Vu Duc Dam, Vice Prime Minister of Viet Nam, H.E. Dr. Than Myint, Minister of Commerce of Myanmar, H.E. Dr. Chhon Dara, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, and nearly 300 representatives of the embassies and consulates of ASEAN countries, international organizations, Chinese ministries and provinces, as well as all circles of Southeast and South Asia were present. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the activities and exchanged ideas with the participants.
H.E. Mr. Ruan Chengfa, Deputy Secretary of CPC Yunnan Provincial Committee and Governor of Yunnan Province, warmly welcomed all the participants to attend this year’s event. He said that Yunnan, enjoying unique geographical advantage, is an important node in the Belt and Road Initiative and a front window for the opening-up Southwest China. The CSA Expo is an important platform for China's opening-up to the outside world. Since its establishment, the Expo has significantly promoted policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bond. It has played an important role in enhancing mutual trust, promoting common understanding, expanding opening-up and deepening cooperation among regions. He stated that Yunnan is committed to promoting the CSA Expo to accelerate opening-up and cooperation, common development and shared prosperity of the region. Yunnan is willing to join hands with all parties to pass down the Silk Road spirit, share the Belt and Road opportunities and take joint responsibility for building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, the 5th China-South Asia Exposition was held in Kunming from 14 to 19 June 2018. Under the theme of “Integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative, Promote Win-win Cooperation”, a series of activities including the 1st China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, the 13th China-South Asia Business Forum, the 2nd China-Southeast Asia Business Forum, the 2018 GMS Economic Corridor Governors Forum & the 10th GMS Week for Economic Corridors and the 3rd Forum on China-South Asia Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation were held during the Exposition.