[Explanation] On September 27, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and the 17th China-ASEAN Expo.
At the meeting, Assistant Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang introduced that since the beginning of 2020, China and ASEAN countries have overcome the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic and economic and trade cooperation has grown against the trend. From January to August 2020, ASEAN has historically become China's largest trading partner.
[Concurrent] Li Chenggang, Assistant Minister of Commerce
From January to August this year (2020), the total trade value between China and ASEAN reached US$416.55 billion, an increase of 3.8% year-on-year, accounting for 14.6% of China's total foreign trade value.
ASEAN has historically become China's largest trading partner, forming a good pattern in which China and ASEAN are each other's largest trading partners.
[Explanation] 2020 is the 10th anniversary of the completion of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.
Li Chenggang said that the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area over the past 10 years has promoted the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the region. China and ASEAN have entered a golden period of economic and trade cooperation. At the same time, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has become the most dynamic in the world. One of the free trade zones.
[Concurrent] Li Chenggang, Assistant Minister of Commerce
The bilateral trade volume increased from 292.8 billion US dollars in 2010 to 641.5 billion US dollars in 2019.
As of the end of 2019, the two-way investment reached US$223 billion, and the overall structure has stabilized.
China has established 25 overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in ASEAN. ASEAN not only became China's second largest trading partner last year, but also became China's largest trading partner this year (2020).
The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has become one of the most dynamic free trade areas in the world.
[Explanation] Li Chenggang mentioned that China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation has achieved remarkable results, and the China-ASEAN Expo has played an important role in it.
[Concurrent] Li Chenggang, Assistant Minister of Commerce
In the 16 years since the China-ASEAN Expo was held, it has adhered to the purpose of promoting the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, established an important platform for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, unblocked trade and investment channels, promoted international production capacity cooperation and Chinese enterprises’ “going out” and enhanced Exchanges in various fields, such as finance, logistics, and technology, have promoted the construction of the "Belt and Road", enabling regional enterprises and people to obtain tangible benefits.
[Explanation] It is understood that the 17th China-ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning, Guangxi from November 27 to 30, 2020, with the theme of "Building the Belt and Road Initiative and Prospering the Digital Economy." At the same time, the "Eastern Cloud Expo" will be launched simultaneously.
Reporter Shan Lu reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]