South China's Nanning on home stretch for China-ASEAN Expo

With final preparations underway, Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is on the home stretch for the upcoming 21st China-ASEAN Expo.

Scheduled for September 24 to 28, this year's expo spans nearly 200,000 square meters and features over 3,000 exhibitors, with new themes focusing on digital technology, green energy and smart vehicles.

The expo has set up a special exhibition area dedicated to advanced technologies, showcasing high-end equipment, new materials, and innovative products from countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

As an important and indispensable platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN, the expo has played a significant role in cementing a close partnership between the two major economies, bringing positive impacts on people's daily life.

With the first entry of fresh Malaysian durians into the Chinese market in late August, Nanning was buzzing with demand from eager consumers who are used to buying the thorny, pungent fruit from Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Malaysia started exporting fresh durian to China, with 40 tons of the popular tropical fruit sent in three phases starting Aug 24. Malaysia previously started exporting whole frozen durian to China in 2019.

Local residents expressed satisfactions with the taste of the Malaysia's Musang King durian.

"I think the taste is quite good; it's soft and creamy," said a local resident surnamed Xiao.

Zhang Yanhong, deputy general manager of Nanning Communications Investment Logistics Investment Co., Ltd., revealed plans to increase the frequency of flights based on market response.

"We've purchased one ton of the fruit. If the market response is positive, we will increase the number of flights to bring more fresh fruit to Nanning," he said.

Since the first China-ASEAN Expo was held in 2004, China and ASEAN have accelerated bilateral trade, bringing a variety of agricultural products from ASEAN countries to Chinese consumers.

Meanwhile, fruits from China, such as orah mandarin and navel oranges are increasingly exported to ASEAN markets.

"Through this channel in Nanning, products from Guangxi can reach Malaysia and other ASEAN countries. At the same time, ASEAN countries also send their freshest goods to Guangxi at the fastest speed," said Lyu Haiting, president of the Malaysia Guangxi Chamber of Commerce.

South China's Nanning on home stretch for China-ASEAN Expo

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"