China ready to work with ASEAN countries to implement CAFTA 3.0: spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 22 -- China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to implement the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 (CAFTA 3.0) and build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a query on China-ASEAN cooperation, following the successful conclusion of the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo on Sept. 21 and the official opening of the Pinglu Canal to navigation last week.

"The China-ASEAN Expo is a shining brand of China-ASEAN cooperation," Guo said.

Over the past 23 years, the Expo witnessed China-ASEAN cooperation leaping through the "Golden Decade" to the "Diamond Decade" and the upgrade to the CAFTA 3.0, according to the spokesperson.

Guo said that this year, for the very first time, the Expo designated an area tailored to ASEAN countries' demand and released an ASEAN countries' demand list aimed at precision matchmaking between what ASEAN needs and what China can provide.

Guo said the Expo also designated a Pinglu Canal exhibition area. The canal's opening to navigation will significantly reduce the maritime shipping distance from southwest China to ASEAN countries, opening up a new route for bilateral trade, he added.