NANNING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened on Wednesday in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighting tech and economic collaborations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The five-day event boasts an exhibition area of nearly 160,000 square meters and the participation of over 3,200 enterprises from 60 countries.

For the first time, the expo features a newly minted 10,000-square-meter pavilion dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the largest single-theme hall in the expo's history.

This year's AI spotlight comes as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), the world's largest free trade zone among developing countries, is set to be upgraded to version 3.0. Negotiations concluded in May, with a formal signing expected by the end of the year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said that in recent years, the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has steadily deepened, becoming the most successful and dynamic model of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and a vivid example of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

He noted that the CAEXPO and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit are major events that strengthen friendship between China and ASEAN, as well as important platforms for regional development and cooperation. He also expressed hope that all participants will make full use of these platforms to share opportunities and jointly shape the future.

Over the past two decades, CAEXPO has become more than a showcase of trade and investment. It has grown into a catalyst for deeper integration, innovation and long-term growth, noted Kao Kim Hourn, secretary general of ASEAN.

The CAFTA 3.0 sends a strong signal that ASEAN and China remain committed to upholding a rules-based trading system, even amidst rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, Kao said, adding that the CAFTA 3.0 goes further by making technology and innovation central to cooperation, while deepening supply chain integration and regional prosperity.

The theme of this year's expo, "Digital Intelligence and Innovation Empower Development -- Leveraging China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 New Opportunities for an Even Closer China-ASEAN Community with a Shared Future," also highlights the role of technology in boosting bilateral trade and cooperation.

Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth said that the theme underscores "the urgent need" for cooperation in building a region that is both prosperous and peaceful by leveraging digital technology and innovation, as well as promoting trade and investment.

Official data show that bilateral trade volumes have consistently risen, with China remaining ASEAN's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for the past five years.