Construction of the China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been speeding up recently. The project boasts a planned total investment of about 3.1 billion yuan ($486.69 billion), covering a total construction area of about 1 million square meters. It is being constructed in two phases and is expected to be fully completed in 2025.

In the first phase of the project, 15 RCEP national theme pavilions will be built that display the characteristic products of various countries and regions in an immersive and unique way. In addition, B2B and B2C online platforms are being developed.

At present, the Singapore Pavilion, Indonesia Pavilion, Thailand Pavilion, Vietnam Pavilion, Philippines Pavilion, Cambodia Pavilion, Myanmar Pavilion, Pakistan Pavilion, and Guangxi Pavilion have been designed and are being decorated.

In addition, the design and construction of the exhibition halls of the phase one project are steadily advancing. It is expected to begin its trial operation during the 19th China-ASEAN Expo in September 2022.

Based on the concept of mutual consultation, construction, sharing, and win-win results, while centering around China and ASEAN, the mercantile exchange aims to build a one-stop platform for online and offline economic and trade exchanges for other RCEP countries as well as the large markets of the countries along the Belt and Road. It will also strive to be the first stop for foreign enterprises mainly from ASEAN countries to enter the Chinese market.

The design sketch of the China-ASEAN Mercantile Exchange. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_da6be78a484c]