Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang will attend and address the opening ceremony of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced on Monday.
"Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Vice Premier, will attend and address the opening ceremony of the 21st China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 24," Lin told reporters at a press conference in Beijing.
"Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will deliver a video address to the event, and foreign leaders and senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia Vongsey Vissoth, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Vietnam Ho Duc Phoc, as well as Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn will attend the opening ceremony," Lin added.
Since the first China-ASEAN Expo was held in 2004, the event has led to the establishment of a platform for ASEAN enterprises to enter the Chinese market.
Scheduled for Sept. 24 to 28, this year's edition of the expo boasts an exhibition area of nearly 200,000 square meters and expects the participation of over 3,000 enterprises.
China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has remained China's top trading partner for four consecutive years.
Chinese vice premier to attend, address opening ceremony of 21st China-ASEAN Expo
A protest in Tokyo on Saturday highlighted growing public concern over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on China's Taiwan region and the government's plans to expand its military.
In early November 2025, Takaichi said a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute what she called a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, remarks that many critics say reflect nostalgia for Japan's colonial past and an attempt to weaponize the Taiwan issue against China.
Protesters distributed flyers and held up signs denouncing Takaichi's remarks and policies.
"The Japanese government has already acknowledged that Taiwan is part of China, so I can't help but wonder why the current prime minister would make such remarks. We truly hope there will be no more statements like this. Takaichi should either retract her words or just resign. Her comments have triggered a serious crisis, and she must take full responsibility," one protester said.
"There is widespread anger toward Takaichi within Japan. If the government truly prioritizes people's livelihoods, it must pursue responsible diplomacy, reject any provocation of war and uphold the pacifist constitution. This is what matters most," another demonstrator said.
"It is an interference in China's internal affairs. She must immediately and sincerely apologize for her remarks," said another participant in the rally.
Protesters also said Takaichi's aggressive actions since taking office, including intending to revise three national security documents, easing restrictions on arms exports and planning to increase the defence budget, are dangerous, particularly given Japan's failure to fully reckon with its World War II history.
"Japan's military buildup is dangerous. Eight decades have passed since the war ended, yet the country still hasn't fully reflected on or accounted for its wartime past," a protester said.
Protesters rally in Tokyo over PM Takaichi's Taiwan remarks, military expansion plans
