The 18th China-ASEAN Expo will focus on the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation in sustainable development, officials from the CAEXPO Secretariat announced on April 18.

With the year 2021 marking the China-ASEAN Year of Sustainable Development, China and ASEAN will push forward sustainable development and enhance cooperation in areas such as poverty alleviation, disaster prevention, climate change and environmental protection.

The CAEXPO Secretariat said that a series of seminars, meetings and exhibitions on cooperation in sustainable development will be held during the 18th CAEXPO to boost regional economic recovery in the post-pandemic era and to call for joint action in sectors such as technical and commercial development. 

This year's event will also invite the participation of companies from the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Activities such as training sessions and seminars about RCEP will take place to promote exchanges among companies in China, ASEAN and other RCEP countries in areas including trade and investment cooperation.

Preparation work for events to be held during this year's expo, such as the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of a relationship between China and ASEAN and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei, have started to deepen friendly communication between China and its neighboring countries.