MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) contributes to economic integration, innovation cooperation and shared prosperity between ASEAN countries and China, a Filipino expert has said.
"The CAEXPO and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) Version 3.0 present promising platforms for the Philippines to deepen economic ties with China," Rowena G. Mendoza, manager of the Consumer Business Department at the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Philippines, told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.
Scheduled to run from Sept. 17 to 21 in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the 23rd CAEXPO has drawn over 3,400 exhibitors.
Designated as this year's country of honor, the Philippines has sent a delegation of 313 people, comprising 73 enterprises in sectors such as agrifood, home and fashion, personal care and tourism, to the expo, according to CITEM.
"The CAEXPO has been instrumental. We hope to showcase our tropical food such as durian, coconut and ube to the vast Chinese market," said Mendoza.
"We are really looking forward to increasing trade opportunities and economic activities with China," said Mendoza. "Hitting just several buyers and distributors would generate promising returns."
Mendoza said the Philippines is also looking for knowledge and technology transfer in AI e-commerce, infrastructure and smart cities at the expo.
"The Philippines recognizes the transformative potential of AI, and we are eager to deepen cooperation with China, which is cutting-edge in the field," she said, adding that China's experience can contribute to industrial upgrade and human capacity building in the Philippines. ■
