国内英语新闻:China-South Asia Expo begins in SW China

KUNMING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The second China-South Asia Expo kicked off on Friday in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, to promote all-round cooperation and development in the region.

With the theme of "expanding trade in services, boosting investment-centered cooperation, accelerating interconnectivity, and jointly constructing economic corridors," it is hoped that the expo will form an important bridge for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and South and Southeast Asia in fields including the economy, culture, transport and technology.

The five-day expo is expected to attract exhibitors and buyers from 46 countries and regions and 24 domestic provinces and municipalities, said Gao Shuxun, vice governor of Yunnan.

He said there are 3,188 indoor exhibitor booths which are divided into 10 display areas. Two outdoor display zones for furniture, large machinery and equipment cover an area of 7,500 square meters.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and foreign leaders or senior officials from countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Laos and Sri Lanka.

The event replaced the South Asian Countries Commodities Fair, which was first held in Kunming in 2010.