The promotion fair held to invite B&R countries to participate in the 17th CAEXPO. [Photo/chinanews.com]

The 17th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) has sent out invitations to countries and regions alongside the Belt and Road (B&R) to participate in it, the CAEXPO Secretariat said on Oct 10.

Wang Lei, secretary-general of the CAEXPO Secretariat, noted that CAEXPO has provided an excellent platform for promoting economic and trade cooperation among B&R countries and regions, China, as well as ASEAN countries.

"We've met a lot of friends during last year's CAEXPO, both new and old, which are very precious resources, allowing us to carry out close business cooperation in the future," said Karol Peczak, person in charge of the economic office of Consulate General of Poland in Guangzhou. Poland attended the expo as a special partner in 2019.

Diyar Khan, consul general of Pakistan in Guangzhou, said that Pakistan will be a special partner of the event this year for the first time and that the country has long maintained a close relationship with the event.

Khan added that a total of 27 official institutions, companies, and business associations have participated in CAEXPO since 2016, showcasing the country's business and cultural projects with 65 booths.

"Pakistan and ASEAN share the same culture and beliefs. The potential of economic and trade cooperation among China, ASEAN, and Pakistan is huge, and Pakistan hopes to see fruitful outcomes during this year's CAEXPO," noted Khan.