The upcoming China-ASEAN Expo will introduce the innovative China-ASEAN Young Leaders Growth Program to create a fresh platform for youth exchanges and mutual learning between China and ASEAN countries, a senior official from the secretariat said on Thursday. The 21st China-ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning from Sept 24 to 28.

The China-ASEAN Expo has been held annually for 20 years, laying a solid foundation for deepening cooperation between the two sides, said Wei Zhaohui, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat on Thursday in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

This year marks the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The young leaders growth program will organize a cohort of young individuals enthusiastic about China-ASEAN cooperation and host a roundtable dialogue during the expo.

The expo will also include study tours, project visits and industry salons.

Guests will include experts from think tanks, entrepreneurs and leaders of business associations.

"We aspire to nurture a cohort of China-ASEAN youth leaders equipped with global vision, innovative thinking and practical skills through this program for future collaborations between the two sides," Wei said.

This year's event will set awards for exhibits from home and abroad for the first time, she said, adding that a permanent exhibition hall will be put into use, showcasing the cooperative achievements and updating information about enterprises, standards and policies between China and ASEAN countries.

By Zhang Li