At the opening of the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo and Business & Investment Summit, Vice-President Han Zheng underscored China's commitment to deepening economic ties with ASEAN and fostering regional stability. The event, hosting over 3,200 companies from 60 countries across 160,000 square meters of exhibition space, introduced new zones for artificial intelligence, emerging productive forces, and the blue economy.

Han highlighted the strategic and economic interdependence between China and ASEAN, calling for accelerated regional opening, high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and joint construction of CAFTA 3.0 — the latest iteration of the world's largest free trade agreement by population, GDP, and trade volume. He stressed integrating industrial and supply chains, expanding emerging industry cooperation, and maintaining global supply chain stability.

Trade data illustrate the momentum: China-ASEAN trade reached 4.93 trillion yuan ($694 billion) in the first eight months of 2025, up 9.7 percent year-on-year, while cumulative two-way investment surpassed $450 billion. Chinese infrastructure projects in the region totaled $480 billion by July. For international investors, these figures signal robust opportunities in cross-border finance, logistics, and project management.

Notable projects include China Communications Construction Co.'s “new infrastructure” initiatives, leveraging 5G, AI, and industrial internet technologies. Its Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway in Cambodia and Malaysia-China Kuantan International Logistics Park illustrate how digital and transport integration can enhance regional trade efficiency. Meanwhile, iFlytek is forging partnerships in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar, applying AI translation to cross-border e-commerce, conferences, and digital content, effectively turning technology into regional infrastructure.

ASEAN officials echoed these priorities. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighted the deep economic interdependence and trust with China, while Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh stressed market openness, strategic alignment, and science and technology as cooperation drivers, particularly in AI.

Beyond trade, Han emphasized cultural and people-to-people exchanges, youth leadership programs, and community projects as tools to deepen mutual understanding and public trust.

For international business professionals, the China-ASEAN corridor now represents not only traditional trade and investment opportunities but also a frontier for digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and AI-driven services. Engaging with CAFTA 3.0 and participating in emerging industry projects can provide early-mover advantages in a rapidly evolving, high-growth economic region.