India to be 'country of honour' at South Asia Expo in China

BEIJING: India will be the 'country of honour' at China's annual five-day South Asia Expo to be held this week in Kunming city, capital of southwest Yunnan Province, officials said today.

The opening ceremony of the South Asia Expo to be held from June 12 will be attended by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, according to the Foreign Ministry here.

This is the third consecutive year that the South Asia Expo is being held by China to expand its trade and business footprints in South Asia where it is looking to firm up influence with huge investments in different countries.

Each year, one South Asian country is made the 'country of honour' to highlight the business potential.

The South Asia Expo will be part of the the 23rd Kunming Import and Export Fair which will be held simultaneously, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told a media briefing here.

Aiming to boost cooperation between China and South Asian countries and drive development, the expo will draw foreign leaders including Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Hong said.

India is the 'country of honour' at this year's expo, and Thailand is the guest of honour of the Import and Export Fair, he said.