Over 100 international journalists gather in Nanning to cover 23rd CAEXPO
NANNING, 17 September 2026 (TATOLI) – More than 100 media representatives from China and across the globe have converged in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to report on the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) 2026.
Ahead of the grand opening, organizers hosted a welcome dinner reception for the visiting press on Wednesday evening. Li Pan, Deputy Commander of the 23rd CAEXPO and CABIS and Director of the News and Publicity Department, warmly greeted the journalists who traveled long distances to chronicle China-ASEAN cooperation.
“True friends always feel close to each other, no matter how far the distance between them. It is a great pleasure to gather together with old and new friends in Nanning, Guangxi,” Li Pan said.
He praised the media for capturing the evolving economic and trade ties between China and ASEAN nations, emphasizing that their presence highlights the tangible results of strong regional friendship and cooperation.
Spotlight on CAFTA 3.0 and the Digital Economy
Among the international press corps is Mediana, an economic reporter from Indonesia’s Harian Kompas. She noted that covering CAEXPO and CABIS 2026 is a unique privilege, especially given this year’s focus on the rollout of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0.
“This is a very special experience for me, and I feel honored to have this opportunity,” Mediana told TATOLI.
With a strong focus on trade and investment, Mediana is particularly keen on exploring collaboration within the digital economy sector. She highlighted that Indonesia is aggressively pursuing its own digital transformation, spanning 5G expansion, artificial intelligence (AI), and data centers, making cooperation with China a natural alignment.
“Indonesia also has a vision for the digital economy that may be considered aligned with China’s own vision,” she noted, adding that Indonesia is well-positioned to play a pivotal role under CAFTA 3.0.
Mediana also sees CAEXPO and CABIS as an opportunity for journalists to observe first-hand how economic cooperation opportunities are translated into business and investment relations.
She expressed hope that the series of activities, particularly business and investment meetings, would provide a clearer picture of developments in Indonesia-China economic relations as well as China’s broader economic relationship with ASEAN.
This year’s CAEXPO and CABIS highlight economic and trade cooperation, the development of AI and corporate participation among their key agendas. Organizers have also prepared around 50 supporting economic and trade activities throughout the Expo.
The presence of journalists from different countries in Nanning is expected to broaden the dissemination of information on trade and investment opportunities, technological innovation and cooperation discussed during the 23rd CAEXPO and CABIS.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
