China-ASEAN Expo boosts trade, investment

For five years, the China-ASEAN Expo has been boosting trade and investment. More than 98 percent of the products showcased have been tax-cut.

The expo has also proven to be an investment platform for China and ASEAN countries. By the end of 2008, ASEAN countries had invested 52 billion US dollars in China. Last year also saw China's direct investment in ASEAN countries more than double from 2007, reaching almost 2.2 billiion US dollars.

The bloc has become major service trade export target for China. Bilateral trade volume climbed by nearly 14 percent in 2008 year on year.

There are great expectations after the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone, which has the most consumers and largest area in the world, is set up next January.