The second China-ASEAN Exposition ended Saturday with a batch of fruitful contracts, said an official with the organization committee in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

 

The four-day event, co-held by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, trade departments of 10 ASEAN countries, and the ASEAN secretariat, has achieved a total trade volume of US$1.15 billion, up six percent over the first China-ASEAN expo, and in spheres of mechanics equipment, agriculture produce and electricity products.

 

According to Li Jingzao, vice chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regional government, the exposition provided 3,300 booths and attracted more than 2,000 enterprises, which have mainly taken part in four subjects including trade, commerce investment and tourism.

 

Statistics from the organizing committee show that more than 25,000 purchasers attended the event, with 126 international cooperation projects signed, involving US$5.29 billion of investment, an increase of 5.9 percent over the last one.

 

The second China-ASEAN business and investment summit was held in the same period, which has allured 1,500 visitors from both China and abroad. Government officials and entrepreneurs conferred on the topics of building China-ASEAN free trade area.

 

Eight hundred and forty-eighty journalists from 183 domestic and overseas medias units covered the exposition and summit, which have become a key venue for China and ASEAN nations to extend cooperation on politics, trade and cultures.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2005)