Guangxi, a key gateway for China to advance high-level opening-up and promote cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is poised to facilitate access to the vast markets of both ASEAN and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership countries.

Vice-Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said the ministry will support Guangxi in leveraging its geographic advantages to boost the flow of high-quality ASEAN and RCEP goods into the Chinese market.

Sheng made these remarks during a "618" shopping festival event held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Wednesday.

The festival, themed "ASEAN Fruits Gather in Guangxi", highlighted the region's growing role as a distribution hub for Southeast Asian produce and products. Guangxi, China's top fruit-producing region, is often called the country's "fruit basket" and serves as the main entry point for ASEAN fruits.

Chen Gang, Party secretary of Guangxi, emphasized the region's strategic position in China-ASEAN cooperation and its role in promoting cross-border trade and regional economic integration.

The event brought together representatives from ASEAN and RCEP countries, local governments, suppliers, and trade platforms. It showcased Guangxi's model of "ASEAN production, Guangxi distribution, and China sales". It aims to deepen ties in areas such as cross-border e-commerce and cultural tourism, accelerate regional economic integration, and contribute to building a closer China-ASEAN community of shared destiny.

Samheng Bora, secretary of state ministry of commerce, Cambodia, expressed optimism about the imminent finalization and completion of the durian import agreement between Cambodia and China, foreseeing continued growth in bilateral trade. He called for building a prosperous future on the foundation of friendship and shared visions.

A number of cooperation agreements were signed at the event covering ASEAN fruit procurement, RCEP product processing, and nationwide sales channels.