A view of Kunming Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center, the venue for the 9th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Photo: VCG

Editor's Note:

The 9th China-South Asia Expo, held in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, concluded on Tuesday. It has secured deals worth of 8.66 billion yuan ($1.21 billion), according to a press conference on Monday. Running from June 19 to 24, the expo has drawn participants from 73 countries, regions and international organizations. Over 2,500 enterprises are exhibiting, achieving full coverage of all South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. How does the expo boost cooperation among regional stakeholders? Amid global geopolitical turbulence, what kind of certainty can the expo inject? The Global Times invites three experts from South Asian countries to share their views. 

Yasir Habib Khan, founder and director of Institute of International Relations and Media Research based in Pakistan

Given the current international system characterized by the rise of protectionism, where nations prioritize their interests over the common good, footprints of multilateralism are densely solidifying between China and South Asia promising new dynamics of pooled resources, economic collaborations and financial opportunities.

In the wake of holding the high spirit of multilateralism, trade volume between China and South Asian countries reached nearly $200 billion in 2024. More economic bonanzas are ahead as traders and entrepreneurs of China and South Asiana countries have flocked together to explore and tap business ventures in the 9th China-South Asia Expo. 

Co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Yunnan provincial government, the event has taken place at a critical juncture of time when forces of unilateralism have unleashed zero-sum policies that favors only the Global North, depriving developing nations' right to grow side by side. 

Under such formidable challenges, the expo has come up with new silver linings allowing participants to enter the welcoming Chinese market that commits to a wide range of openness. South Asian traders have the opportunity to enter a Chinese business environment, beyond traditional business models, by partnering with Chinese firms and leveraging new technologies and platforms such as new quality productive forces and AI plus.  

If participants understand the diverse needs of different provinces and cultural groups, they can easily build sustainable partnerships to seize long-term opportunities. 

The essence of global cooperation lies in people. As the most densely populated region in the world, China and South Asia have the potential to set a powerful example for the international community - if we can achieve peace, stability and prosperity for our people. Together, we represent an immense market - not only in China, but also in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries - each with consumer populations in the hundreds of millions. This market holds tremendous potential to drive high-quality and efficient economic development. We should deepen regional collaboration in industrial and supply chains, and, on that basis, build institutional platforms such as free trade agreements and the Belt and Road Initiative. Through close cooperation, we can establish a more resilient trade ecosystem. The market is already sending a clear message: Cooperation is better than confrontation. Confrontation only disrupts supply chains and exacerbates the challenges of poverty alleviation.

Maya Majueran, director of Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka

Strengthening economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asia holds profound significance for regional development, particularly amid current global uncertainties marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and economic volatility. In this context, enhanced engagement with China could offer South Asian countries greater economic resilience and integration into broader regional value chains. Meanwhile, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has struggled to deliver on its original mandate, with limited progress in fostering effective regional collaboration, highlighting the need for alternative or supplementary mechanisms of cooperation.

We can draw the experience of ASEAN member states, many of which have seen substantial economic gains through deepening integration with China's expanding economy. For countries like Sri Lanka and other smaller South Asian economies, deeper engagement with China emerges as a pragmatic and strategic pathway. With China being the world's second-largest economy, its rapidly growing middle class and robust domestic consumption offer substantial opportunities for trade, investment and market access. 

China has consistently demonstrated a willingness to invest in infrastructure, energy and connectivity across South Asia through initiatives such as the BRI. For nations facing fiscal stress or limited access to Western capital markets, Chinese cooperation provides both financial lifelines and a gateway to broader Asian production and logistics networks. 

The economic incentives for countries such as Sri Lanka to deepen their engagement with China are becoming increasingly compelling, driven by the promise of infrastructure investment, access to vast consumer markets, and integration into China's trade and supply chain networks.

In addition to trade and market access, China's support in areas such as knowledge transfer, technological cooperation, financial assistance and investment in manufacturing delivers tangible benefits to partner countries. China's industrial expertise, development experience and capacity to mobilize capital at scale provide emerging economies like Sri Lanka with valuable resources to enhance productivity, build industrial capacity and move up the value chain. This multifaceted engagement not only supports immediate economic needs but also contributes to long-term development and structural transformation.

South Asian countries increasingly seek partnerships grounded in mutual respect, equality and shared benefit rather than relationships characterized by a "big brother" mentality or coercive diplomacy. These nations value win-win cooperation that respects their sovereignty, development priorities and agency in shaping their own economic futures. As they navigate a complex regional landscape, balanced and respectful engagement from major powers is essential to fostering sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.

Roshan Khadka, editor-in-chief of Kathmandupati, an online news portal based in Nepal

The China-South Asia Expo has just concluded in Kunming, Yunnan Province. This international event, organized annually by China, sees high-level participation from Nepal as well. 

China aims to develop Kunming as a bridge connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia, strengthening trade relations from this region with countries including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Cambodia. To facilitate this, China has invested in physical infrastructure development in Yunnan. A railway line is being extended from Kunming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition, air connectivity between Kunming and these countries is expanding rapidly.

China has contributed significantly to Nepal's development. Economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries have been growing stronger. Public-level relations have also deepened in recent years. China has assisted in the construction of major infrastructure projects including hydropower plants, international airports, the Kathmandu Ring Road and other game-changing initiatives. These projects have made significant contributions to Nepal's development. The two countries have also cooperated on international issues.

China shares approximately 1,414 kilometers of border with Nepal. Economic relations between the two nations are becoming increasingly robust. Nepal has been a participant of the China-proposed BRI. China is currently one of Nepal's largest trading partners. It has invested in Nepal's hydropower, solar energy, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Chinese are also one of the main sources of foreign arrivals in Nepal.

As geopolitical instability rises globally and threatens to potentially disrupt supply chains, there is a need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries.

China is making significant investments in Nepal's energy and hydropower sectors, and discussions are ongoing about the construction of China-Nepal cross-border railway, which is expected to have a major impact on the region. 

Currently, South Asian countries, including Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, are each facing their own unique challenges. Additionally, global politics is witnessing major upheavals. The wars in different parts of the world have disrupted supply chains and contributed to geopolitical fragmentation. China's role in global politics is increasing, while the US remains more focused on its domestic issues. Economic, political and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries has become essential. In an era of rising global uncertainty, regional cooperation based on mutual trust, shared benefit and sustainability is the strongest foundation for collective prosperity. Effective cooperation among South Asian countries would lead to prosperity for the entire region.