The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Guangzhou recently sent a letter to the Secretariat of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) confirming that Pakistan will attend this year's CAEXPO as a special partner.

According to the CAEXPO Secretariat, the head of the Pakistan delegation will deliver a speech at the opening meeting of the event. The national image, advantageous commodities, key industries, and cooperation opportunities of Pakistan will be fully displayed during the session. A series of activities, such as promotion meetings, will also be carried out to promote economic and trade exchanges and cooperation.

Pakistan is geographically close to ASEAN countries and has been actively participating in CAEXPO for many years in efforts to enter the China and ASEAN markets. Since the 13th CAEXPO, 27 Pakistani official organizations and enterprises, including the Pakistan Embassy in China, the Consulate General in Guangzhou, and the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have used 65 standard booths to showcase their items with national characteristics.

At present, China and Pakistan are continuing to develop a strategic cooperative partnership and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is in full swing. The appointment of Pakistan as a special partner of this year's CAEXPO is of positive significance for promoting deeper cooperation between China and Pakistan, as well as further boosting the construction of the Belt and Road.

CAEXPO started to invited special partners from 2014, and Pakistan is the seventh country invited after Australia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, and Poland.