China and South Asian countries share close geographical proximity and a long history of interaction, with trade and cultural exchanges spanning thousands of years.

The China-South Asia Expo, held annually in Kunming, Yunnan province in southwestern China, is a key platform for expanding economic and trade cooperation between both sides, facilitating supply-demand connections and unleashing bilateral trade potential. The 10th China-South Asia Expo was held from June 11 to 16.

"The original intention behind the establishment of the expo was to address the concerns of South Asian countries regarding the need to increase exports to China, and to demonstrate China's efforts and sincerity in increasing imports," Wang Liping, director of the Department of Asian Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC), said.

Data from the MOC shows that in the first quarter of this year, China's trade volume with South Asian countries reached 60 billion USD. Exports increased by 12.6 percent, while imports rose by 35.3 percent. The growth rate of imports was significantly higher than that of exports. Specifically, import volumes from Afghanistan, the Maldives and Bhutan doubled.

In 2025, the trade volume between China and South Asia surpassed 200 billion USD, growing by 10.7 percent year on year. Currently, China is the largest trading partner of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Through the expo as an important link, two-way investment and infrastructure cooperation between the two sides have deepened and solidified.

Since the first edition in 2013, the expo has expanded in scale, upgraded in quality, and expanded its influence, rising from a regional exhibition to an international event. The number of exhibition halls has increased from six to 16, and the exhibition area from 50,000 square meters to 160,000 square meters.

The number of participating countries and regions, as well as international organizations, has increased to 89, covering all of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, serving over 20,000 participating enterprises.

Through innovation and expansion, the expo has built a solid bridge connecting people's hearts, promoting economic integration, and fostering shared development between China and South Asia, injecting momentum into regional coordinated development.

Md Bazlur Rashid, first secretary (commercial) of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Kunming, said, "China is a huge market for South Asia and Bangladesh's top trading partner. I hope to develop mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation with China and expand (Bangladeshi) trade exports to China."