The China-ASEAN Expo has opened, with news.cgtn.com reporting that this year's event centers on CAFTA 3.0, artificial intelligence, and the Pinglu Canal. The expo is taking place in Nanning, China, according to the same outlet, which published its report on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The focus on CAFTA 3.0 points to the next phase of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. AI is also drawing attention at the event, with China Daily Global Edition reporting that the technology has the potential to open a new chapter in regional cooperation. Coverage from news.cgtn.com framed the broader theme as a shift "from trade to trust" within a community sharing a common future.
The Pinglu Canal, a major infrastructure project, rounds out the expo's three main themes. Separately, The Star reported that the chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council attended events tied to the expo, indicating participation from business representatives across the region.
Details on specific agreements, deals or announcements made during the expo were not available in the source material.
What to watch next: whether the expo produces concrete outcomes on CAFTA 3.0 negotiations, AI cooperation initiatives, or the Pinglu Canal's role in regional connectivity.