What they say

I was an international volunteer at the fourth China-South Asia Expo in 2016 as well as the South and Southeast Asia Commodity Expo and Investment Fair 2017. I provided translation services for businessmen from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India to overcome language barriers at last year's China-South Asia Expo. Through the expo, businessmen in my country have realized that there are many business opportunities in Yunnan. The province has become the first travel destination in Bangladesh and Yunnan's tea has a large market in my country. I not only helped many people but also learned a lot about China at the expo, and I will bring back an awareness of Chinese cultures and many new things to my country. I would like to be an international volunteer at the next China-South Asia Expo and contribute more to it.

Md Jakaria Hossain, a student of Yunnan University from Bangladesh

The China-South Asia Expo is an important platform for South and Southeast Asian countries to enhance cooperation with China. The expo hosts many forums and activities to strengthen communication and cooperation among attending countries. Since the first China-South Asia Expo was held in 2013, more countries have expressed willingness to join in. The expo will play a more important role, not only in economy and trade, but also in agriculture in the future.

Ma Yong, director of Yunnan Social Science Academy's South East Asian Studies Institute

The unique geographic advantage of Yunnan reinstates its important status and function as the frontier for China's business market expanding to the South and Southeast Asian regions. The China-South Asia Expo, hosted by Yunnan, is an open international platform providing opportunities to enhance cooperation between China and South Asia, and for the latter to learn more about China. As one of the most well-known expos for China and South Asian countries, the China-South Asia Expo is an important bridge for bilateral communication and cooperation, and is an important platform to enhance China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Chen Lijun, deputy dean and researcher at the Yunnan Social Science Academy

The China-South Asia Expo and its forums are important for trade and commerce exchange between Malaysia and China, which provides opportunities for bilateral businesspeople to know more about each other's market and products. The two have made good progress in the tourism and commerce sectors. According to official statistics, 2.2 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia and 1.15 million Malaysians came to China last year. The number set a new record. Bilateral trade has reached more than $100 billion. Malaysia is still the largest trading partner among Southeast Asian regions. We hope that the Yunnan government could release more preferential polices to attract Malaysian exhibitors and showcase their products in Kunming next year.

Dato Siow Chen Pin, consulate general of Malaysia in Kunming