2026 Annual Meeting of the China-ASEAN Business Council and Joint Meeting of Leaders of China-ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry will be held in September
In 2026, China-ASEAN relations are entering a new stage of development, marked by the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Political mutual trust continues to deepen, economic and trade cooperation is expanding, and industrial integration is gaining momentum. With the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol signed and efforts underway to advance its implementation, new opportunities are emerging for businesses on both sides to expand cooperation across broader fields and at deeper levels, contributing to regional economic integration and shared prosperity.
The business communities of China and ASEAN have long played an important role in advancing regional cooperation. As global industrial and supply chains undergo profound adjustments and regional economic integration deepens, stronger business connectivity is increasingly important for facilitating trade and investment, promoting industrial collaboration, and enabling businesses to better seize the opportunities arising from China-ASEAN cooperation.
Against this backdrop, the 2026 Annual Meeting of the China-ASEAN Business Council and Joint Meeting of Leaders of China-ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry will be held on September 17 in Nanning, Guangxi. As a supporting event of the 23rd China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), the meeting is an important annual event of the China-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and will bring together representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the CABC Board of Chairs, and business communities from China and ASEAN. Participants will exchange views on strengthening business connectivity, advancing industrial cooperation and sharing development opportunities, while exploring new avenues for practical cooperation.
A Key Platform Connecting China and ASEAN Business Communities
The China-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) is the only mechanism for cooperation and dialogue between the business communities among the five major dialogue and cooperation mechanisms between China and ASEAN. Established in 2001, CABC has served as an important platform for connecting the business communities of China and ASEAN and promoting practical cooperation.
Since its establishment, CABC is committed to promoting dialogue and cooperation between enterprises from China and ASEAN, facilitating the development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, strengthening trade and investment ties between China and ASEAN, promoting the economic development of all countries in the region, and supporting the process of ASEAN regional integration.
As China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation continues to expand, emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green development, new energy and advanced manufacturing are gaining importance, creating new opportunities for industrial cooperation and innovation. CABC will continue to respond to business needs and regional priorities by promoting policy communication, industrial connectivity and project cooperation.
CABC Mechanism in Guangxi Opens New Avenues for China-ASEAN Business Cooperation
In September 2023, at the 20th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), CCPIT granted the China-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) Joint Secretariat to CCPIT Guangxi Committee, marking the CABC which is the national level and regional mechanism, has officially settled in Guangxi. This has provided Guangxi with a new platform to strengthen business exchanges and deepen economic and trade cooperation with ASEAN Member States.
Since then, the CABC Joint Secretariat has strengthened coordination with CABIS through closer collaboration and better use of complementary platforms, while facilitating economic and trade cooperation between Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and ASEAN Member States.
The Joint Secretariat has continued to set up CABC working mechanisms, including the Liaison Officials’ Meeting and the ASEAN Rotating Chair mechanism. It has also established an expert committee and several professional committees focusing on artificial intelligence, young entrepreneurs and trade in services, further diversifying the platform for China-ASEAN business cooperation.
The Joint Secretariat has also advanced policy research, economic and trade activities and project matchmaking, encouraging cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green development and trade in services, and giving fresh impetus to China-ASEAN business cooperation.
Seizing CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities and Promoting Industrial Cooperation
The signing of the CAFTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol and ongoing efforts to advance its implementation are creating new opportunities for businesses in China and ASEAN to deepen trade and investment cooperation and strengthen regional industrial and supply chain connectivity.
The 2026 CABC Annual Meeting will focus on the needs of the business community at this new stage of China-ASEAN cooperation. Discussions will cover trade and investment facilitation, industrial upgrading, digital economy development and the green transition. The meeting will also help strengthen regular communication among the Board of Chairs of CABC, helping build greater consensus on key issues in regional economic and trade cooperation.
Professional committees under the CABC framework will be encouraged to play a greater role in advancing practical cooperation in their respective fields. Through regular institutionalized exchanges and project-based cooperation, CABC will promote closer policy communication, resource sharing and business matchmaking, helping turn cooperation opportunities into tangible outcomes and providing stronger support from the business community for the high-quality development of China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation.
Strengthening Business Connectivity for a New Chapter of Regional Cooperation
From strengthening institutional mechanisms to promoting practical cooperation, CABC is expanding the breadth and depth of China-ASEAN business engagement. As China-ASEAN cooperation enters a new stage, CABC will continue to serve as a bridge connecting China and ASEAN business communities, while responding to regional economic priorities and the needs of businesses.
Looking ahead, CABC will continue to work closely with CABIS, building on the complementary strengths of the two platforms. By strengthening policy communication, promoting industrial collaboration and advancing concrete projects, CABC will help businesses seize new opportunities and contribute to a more open, inclusive and mutually beneficial China-ASEAN economic partnership.
