Ahead of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, People’s Republic of China, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn engaged with Chinese media to discuss the mutually-beneficial partnership between ASEAN and China.  Dr Kao elaborated on how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has helped ASEAN countries attract investment for infrastructure and gear up for sustainable urbanisation. Dr Kao  expressed hope that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement and the upgrade negotiations for the ASEAN-China FTA (ACFTA 3.0) will help establish a fair and rules-based regional trade system. Dr Kao also shared optimism for CAEXPO to be a prime forum for business-to-business connections between ASEAN and China.