Steps are being taken to turn the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) into an event that will better serve the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), said Wang Lei, secretary-general of the CAEXPO Secretariat, on Jan 11.

The CAEXPO, jointly hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat as well as the economic and trade ministries from 10 ASEAN countries and China, is open to the whole world while also serving the bilateral relationship between China and ASEAN.

Previous events have invited countries such as Australia and South Korea to be special partners according to the RCEP negotiation process.

Wang said that the preparations for the 18th CAEXPO in 2021 will start soon. Events such as the RCEP summit, a conference for economic and trade ministers and a conference for foreign ministers are expected to be held during the 18th CAEXPO.

The development strategy for the CAEXPO also includes initiatives such as building the China-ASEAN economic and trade center and offering one-stop services in areas spanning finance, taxation, legal affairs, conference affairs and customs affairs.

As the year 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, a commemorative summit is scheduled to be held during the 18th CAEXPO, inviting the main leaders of China and ASEAN countries to launch a joint statement.