Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh (4th from L) at the opening ceremony of the 22nd China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China–ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), Nanning, Guangxi, China, September 17, 2025 - Photo: VGP/Giang Thanh

The Deputy Prime Minister made the suggestions while addressing the opening ceremony of the 22nd China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China–ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, China on Wednesday.

Firstly, he proposed further opening markets and facilitating trade. ASEAN and China should actively expedite the signing and ratification of ACFTA 3.0 within this year, align domestic legal frameworks with new commitments, and help businesses fully leverage the agreement's benefits. This would boost bilateral trade, attract more investment into the region, and foster shared prosperity.

Secondly, he underscored the need to enhance strategic connectivity, particularly rail and road, to facilitate intra-regional trade and extend ASEAN's and China's reach to Central Asia and Europe. Viet Nam, he noted, is accelerating the construction of railway and highway links with China, Laos, and Cambodia to complete a multimodal transport network that better connects ASEAN with China and the Eurasian continent.

Thirdly, he highlighted the need to promote science and technology cooperation. ASEAN and China should expand investment and collaboration in frontier areas such as the digital economy, green economy, science, technology, and innovation; foster high-quality human resources; and seize opportunities from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence.

The Deputy PM noted that ASEAN–China trade cooperation has grown impressively over the past three decades, underpinned by strong political relations. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner since 2009, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner since 2020. China also remains a leading foreign investor in many ASEAN member states.

Mai underscored Viet Nam's pride in being an active contributor to the success of the past 21 editions of CAEXPO and CABIS.

This year, Viet Nam is once again among the largest participants, with nearly 200 booths showcasing a wide range of high-quality products in sectors where Viet Nam has strong complementarities with China and ASEAN markets, including agricultural produce, processed foods, consumer goods, homeware, furniture, and handicrafts.

The 22nd CAEXPO and CABIS take place as ASEAN and China prepare to formally sign the Protocol to Upgrade the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 later this year.

Mai expressed confidence that the events would be a resounding success, injecting fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation and boosting trade and economic growth across the region.