ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The ninth China-South Asia Expo, held in Kunming, Yunnan province, wrapped up on June 24 with remarkable achievements in fostering regional collaboration. Over 150 business contracts were signed during the event, amounting to more than 8.4 billion RMB, while the total investment cooperation projects reached 31 with a combined value exceeding 13.6 billion RMB—a 33 percent increase compared to last year.
The expo attracted more than 500,000 visitors and featured participation from over 2,500 enterprises, including 942 international companies, marking a 20.9 percent growth in overseas representation. Delegates from 73 countries, regions, and international organizations attended, while over 3,000 buyers from more than 30 countries, including South Asian nations and members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, engaged in procurement activities.
Showcasing South Asia’s Quality Goods and Technological Innovation
Visitors showed keen interest in high-quality products from South Asia, such as carpets, furniture, cashmere, and black tea sourced from Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. More than 500 premium products from 66 domestic and foreign trade enterprises were displayed in a dedicated new section of the exhibition.
For the first time, the expo introduced a launch hall where over 40 companies unveiled new products spanning AI, new materials, new energy vehicles, and biomedicine, creating fresh opportunities for first-time and returning customers alike.
Promoting Science and Technology Cooperation
A highlight of the expo was the debut of the Tengchong Scientists Forum, now in its third year, which facilitates academic exchanges and cooperation between governments, industries, and research institutions. The forum supports technology transfer and scientific collaboration with South and Southeast Asian countries, enabling 780 investment projects valued at 190 billion RMB.
Vice President of the Yunnan Academy of Science and Technology, Ma Minxiang, noted that the China-South Asia Technology Transfer Center—established by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Yunnan provincial government—has developed platforms and mechanisms connecting all South Asian countries over the past decade. Branch offices have been opened in six countries, including India and Pakistan, to meet regional sci-tech cooperation demands.
“Achievements have been made in personnel training, project communication, commercialization of sci-tech achievements, and industrial cooperation,” Ma said. He added that the center has facilitated over 80 projects in solar energy, agriculture, and the digital economy.
The expo underscores Yunnan’s ongoing commitment to deepening economic and technological ties with South Asia, advancing regional integration and innovation-driven growth.
