At the State Council's press conference on July 25, Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei introduced the 7th China-South Asia Expo, which will be held from August 16 to 20 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, with the theme of "unity and cooperation, and seek common development". He also gave a set of data, the first China - South Asia Expo held in 2013, China and South Asia's total trade volume of less than 100 billion U.S. dollars, 2022, China's total trade volume in South Asia is close to 200 billion U.S. dollars, an average annual growth rate of up to 8.3%.

　　Li Fei said, China is the main trading partner of South Asian countries, has become the largest trading partner of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives and other countries for many years. South Asian countries' exports of aquatic products, tea and nuts to China have been increasing and are popular among Chinese consumers.

　　In addition to the record high trade volume, in recent years, China and South Asian countries together, upholding the spirit of openness, cooperation and inclusiveness, to promote the "Belt and Road" Initiative with the South Asian countries to dovetail with the development strategy, and achieved a series of results.

　　Li Fei said, for example, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has brought a total of 25.4 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment for Pakistan, creating 192,000 jobs, adding 6,000 megawatts of electricity, 510 kilometers of highway and 886 kilometers of the national core power transmission network. Sri Lanka completed its first highway, Bangladesh completed the Kanapuri River Bottom Tunnel, the Maldives built its first-ever cross-sea bridge, and Nepal's Pokhara International Airport was put into operation. "These are a bright business card of China's economic and trade cooperation with South Asia."

　　Looking ahead, Li Fei introduced that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to take the strategic consensus of the leaders of the two sides as a guide, promote the "Belt and Road" initiative in depth, take high standards, benefit the people's livelihoods, and be sustainable as the goal, focus on the key points, and plow into the work, and continue to make the cake of economic and trade cooperation bigger and bigger, and tap the new growth point of cooperation, and strengthen the construction of the trade and economic mechanism, and give full play to the local and regional advantages, and promote the integration of regional economy. We will promote economic and trade relations between China and South Asian countries to a new level by strengthening the construction of economic and trade mechanisms, utilizing local location advantages and promoting regional economic integration.

　　Among them, in terms of strengthening the construction of economic and trade mechanisms, we will continue to play the role of bilateral economic and trade joint committees and other mechanisms with South Asian countries, strengthen the coordination of economic and trade policies, promote communication and exchanges, and forge more consensus on cooperation, so as to provide escort for cooperation between the two sides. We will continue to open up trade and investment channels through exhibitions, cross-border e-commerce and other platforms, enhance the level of liberalization and facilitation, promote the integrated development of trade and investment, expand the benefits of policies, and strengthen the sense of access for both sides.

　　In terms of giving full play to local location advantages, support Yunnan and other regions to play a leading role in radiation, carry out multi-field cooperation with South Asian countries in economy, trade, humanities and other fields, promote industrial integration, enrich the connotation of cooperation, and promote common development. At the same time, we will seize the opportunity of digital transformation and the window of carbon reduction, expand cooperation in "Silk Road E-commerce", promote the deep integration of the digital economy and the real economy, and work together to create a mutually beneficial and trusting environment for cooperation.

　　In promoting regional economic integration, we will uphold the spirit of open and inclusive cooperation, and promote the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS Cooperation Mechanism and other international organizations to play a greater role in promoting the economic development of the South Asian region. We will work together to address various risks and challenges, jointly support the multilateral trading system, seek common ground while reserving differences, seek common development and promote the development of an open regional economy. At the same time, we will adhere to the principles of universality and balance, coordination and inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity, join hands with South Asian countries to implement global development initiatives, and carry out policy exchanges and experience-sharing in the area of poverty reduction, with a view to realizing common development.

　　At the same time, China is also committed to strengthening cooperation with South Asian countries in the industrial chain supply chain. Wang Liping, director of the Asia Department of the Ministry of Commerce, introduced that China and South Asian countries account for one-fifth of the world's total economic output, which is not only the world's largest emerging market, but also the world's fastest-growing economy, the most dynamic region, with active trade and investment, and the potential for cooperation is constantly released, and the industry chain supply chain has been initially formed as "you have me, and I have you". The supply chain system of the industry chain has been initially formed.

　　"At present, we are facing a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change, digital technology, green low-carbon and other emerging industries are developing vigorously, which brings new opportunities for industry chain supply chain cooperation." Wang Liping said China is willing to work with South Asian countries to jointly construct a regional industrial chain supply chain system that is safe and stable, smooth and efficient, open and inclusive, and mutually beneficial and win-win.