23rd China-ASEAN Expo Closes with 3,432 Exhibitors from 73 Countries
The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning closed with 3,432 exhibitors from 73 countries and more than 360,000 visits, a record high.
The China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat closed the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo on 14 October 2026, after five consecutive days in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, under the theme "Sharing Opportunities from China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, Building a Better Life Together". This year's edition drew 3,432 exhibitors from 73 countries and regions, up 5.3% from the previous year, and recorded more than 360,000 visits in total, the highest figure since the expo began.
This year's expo adopted a new format combining a main exhibition zone with thematic exhibition zones and off-site exhibition zones, with the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center as the main venue, supported by two secondary venues: the Nan-A Community and the Guilin International Convention and Exhibition Center, for a total exhibition area of 170,000 square metres. In addition, Timor-Leste took part as a co-host for the first time, under a new co-hosting format comprising 13 parties from 12 countries, applying the approach of "ASEAN sets the questions, China provides the solutions" to address the needs of each ASEAN member country.
Key Figures from This Year's Expo
| Details | Data |
|---|---|
| Event dates | Held over five consecutive days, closing on 14 October 2026 |
| Venue | Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nan-A Community and Guilin International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China |
| Exhibition area | 170,000 square metres |
| Exhibitors | 3,432 from 73 countries and regions |
| Visitors | More than 360,000 visits (record high) |
| Economic and trade activities | 53 events |
| 24th edition | 17-21 September 2027, theme country Singapore, China's charm city Nanjing |
AI Zone Expands, Boosting Business Matchmaking
The AI technology exhibition area at this year's expo expanded by 60% compared with the previous edition, while the AI Marketplace zone recorded total transactions of more than 28 million yuan. The AI-enabled Expo smart system also facilitated 8,000 pre-arranged business matchmaking meetings and a further 2,000 on-site matchmaking meetings, reflecting that the expo is no longer merely a platform for showcasing products and technology but has become a mechanism driving real business deals and partnership-building among exhibitors.
The expo also saw the release of academic reports and a blue book on economy and trade, the launch of a large model for cross-border industries, the establishment of an expert committee on China-ASEAN data cooperation under the World Data Organization, the expansion of AI-driven financial innovation cooperation, and the establishment of an industrial park alliance along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.
Next Edition Set, Singapore to Serve as Theme Country
The 24th China-ASEAN Expo is scheduled to be held from 17 to 21 September 2027, with Singapore serving as the theme country for the event, and Nanjing selected as China's charm city for next year, continuing the exchange and economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN.
This news is of interest to MICE organisers and exhibitors looking to study large-scale regional trade fair models, as well as businesses seeking trade opportunities with the Chinese and ASEAN markets in the future.