10th China-South Asia Expo Opens in Kunming with Record Participation

KUNMING — The 10th China-South Asia Expo officially opened on June 11 at the Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center, bringing together 68 countries, regions, and international organizations in a landmark event marking a decade of regional economic cooperation. Running through June 16, the expo aims to deepen trade, investment, and cultural ties between China and its South Asian neighbors under the theme “Unity and Collaboration for Shared Development.”

Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Yunnan Provincial Government, the expo has grown into the premier platform for China-South Asia engagement since its launch in 2013. This year’s edition comes at a historic moment: in 2025, trade between China and South Asian countries exceeded US$200 billion for the first time, growing 10.7% year-on-year, according to Xinhua News Agency.

A Decade of Growing Economic Integration

The milestone trade figure underscores the deepening economic interdependence between China and South Asia. China is now the largest trading partner of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The momentum has accelerated into 2026, with bilateral trade in the first four months growing 15.8% year-on-year, as reported by CCTV News.

Bangladesh serves as this year’s Theme Country, while Laos is the Special Partner Country. The expo features 13 exhibition halls spanning 130,000 square meters, including dedicated South Asia halls, a Service Trade Hall, Green Energy Hall, Manufacturing Hall, and a Coffee Industry Hall. Over 560 enterprises from all eight South Asian countries are exhibiting products ranging from Bangladeshi jute and Pakistani leather to Sri Lankan black tea and Afghan carpets.

Expanding Global Reach

A notable development is the expo’s expanding international footprint. For the first time, consulates from Italy, Uruguay, Australia, and four other countries are participating as national pavilions, while seven countries’ consulates are debuting as national delegations. Nearly 100 leading industry enterprises are exhibiting, and over 1,500 professional buyers have registered, with overseas buyers accounting for more than 60%. Enterprises from 45 countries — including Germany, Brazil, and Egypt — are participating in procurement activities for the first time.

According to the Baidu Baike entry for the expo, this year’s event focuses on three strategic dimensions: “what South Asia needs, what the country requires, and what Yunnan excels at,” aiming to build five major platforms for open cooperation, economic and trade exchanges, industrial collaboration, cultural exchanges, and consumption promotion.

New Initiatives and Innovations

The 10th edition introduces several first-time initiatives designed to enhance trade facilitation and cultural exchange. A Procurement Matchmaking Center has been established to connect buyers and sellers more efficiently, alongside a series of supply-demand matchmaking events covering more than 10 key industries. The expo is also providing nearly 800 free booths for South Asian countries to help them promote their specialty products.

Beyond trade, the expo is placing greater emphasis on people-to-people connectivity. First-time events include the South Asia (Dali) International Film Festival and the “Mountain-Sea Youth” Civilization Dialogue, reflecting a shift toward deeper cultural exchange alongside economic cooperation. The Service Trade Hall features AI robot exhibitions and e-sports competitions, showcasing China’s push for tech-enabled trade.

Strategic Significance

The expo serves as a key platform under China’s Belt and Road Initiative for engaging with South Asian nations. It complements the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework and reinforces Yunnan Province’s position as China’s gateway to South and Southeast Asia. The event is held concurrently with the 30th Kunming Import-Export Fair, further expanding its scope.

As the expo opens its doors to the general public from June 12 to 16, organizers are optimistic about building on the momentum of last year’s edition, which saw 73 countries participate with 2,500 enterprises and investment projects worth 13.6 billion yuan signed. With record participation, expanding global interest, and innovative new initiatives, the 10th China-South Asia Expo signals the maturation of a vital regional trade platform that continues to strengthen economic ties between China and its southern neighbors.

What to Watch For

Over the coming days, attention will focus on the trade deals and investment agreements signed during the expo, the effectiveness of the new Procurement Matchmaking Center, and whether the cultural initiatives — including the film festival and youth dialogue — lead to sustained exchange programs. The expo’s growth trajectory will also be closely watched as it evolves from a regional event into an increasingly global platform for trade intermediation.