The Third China-ASEAN Expo, an annual event aimed at boosting economic ties between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, opened on Tuesday in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and leaders of the 10 ASEAN members -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam -- attended the opening ceremony.

Wen said the Expo demonstrates the common aspiration of China and ASEAN to grasp opportunities for cooperation, and serves as a platform to push forward trade, investment and tourism cooperation.

He said China will continue to work with ASEAN to enhance regional development.

The past 15 years have witnessed enhanced mutual trust and expanded economic and trade exchange between China and ASEAN, and China's rapid economic development will create more opportunities for bilateral cooperation, he said.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines, said in her speech that she took pride in ASEAN's role in helping China integrate its economy and become an economic powerhouse.

ASEAN and China will continue to promote confidence-building measures, intensify international and steer the bilateral relations and cooperation for mutual benefit, said Arroyo, who also holds this year's rotating presidency for the grouping.

The Expo is jointly sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, the trade and economic authorities of the 10 ASEAN members, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Also participating are some 2,100 companies.     

This is the first time that Chinese and ASEAN leaders are meeting in China. They attended a China-ASEAN commemorative summit on Monday, during which they signed a joint statement cementing their strategic partnership.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Third China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Oct. 31, 2006.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai presides over the opening ceremony of the Third China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, capital of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Oct. 31, 2006.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)