Report on the Second China–ASEAN Expo: 18–21 October 2005, Nanning, Guangxi, China

This is a preliminary report on the Second CHINA–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA, aliter ACFTA for ASEAN–CHINA) Exposition at Nanning in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People\u27s Republic of China on 18–21 October 2005. The purpose of this report is to bring to the attention of the world new openings and continuing phenomenal growth in business and investment opportunities in the combined ASEAN–CHINA region of East and South-East Asia with a thriving body of 1.85 billion consumers—by far the largest potential single market on earth at any time. The magnitude of its colossal economic power, taken as a united composite whole, surpasses or at least equals any regionally integrated economic association currently operational in any part of the contemporary world. The significance of this exciting overture can hardly be exaggerated. It clearly demonstrates the progressive cumulative force of collective and collaborative mutual co-operation among free-thinking member nations of the global community with the best of intention and the soundest of structural and institutional frameworks