The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo kicked off its Dual-Carbon Smart Energy Exhibition and New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicles Exhibition in Nanning on September 17. The events, running through September 21, brought together over 200 delegates from Chinese and ASEAN governments, power utilities, and automakers. Highlights included the announcement that 16 cross-border transmission lines above 110 kV have been built, with cumulative power exchange exceeding 75 billion kWh, over 90% of it green electricity. Attendees saw exhibits on advanced nuclear reactors, digital twin hydropower management, and EVs tailored for ASEAN markets. Cooperation is expanding beyond grid infrastructure. Laos highlighted its renewable potential and openness to foreign investment in storage and smart grids. Chinese firms like China Energy showcased desert solar projects that lifted vegetation coverage from 0.5% to 28% in PV zones. With the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, both sides are pushing deeper collaboration on clean energy, EV supply chains, and charging infrastructure, aiming to standardize green practices and accelerate the regional energy transition.
