The CAEXPO opening ceremony is a major program that attracts Chinese and ASEAN leaders and political dignitaries. Full of cultural charm, the ceremony ingeniously and vividly showcases the CAEXPO's theme of “friendship, cooperation, development and prosperity.” Its spirit of “10+1>11” signifies an event co-sponsored by China and the 10 ASEAN countries but also open to the whole world.

The opening ceremony is recognized as a testimony of the enhanced strategic partnership between China and the ASEAN as it presents to the world the region’s time-honored friendly relations and deepened bilateral cooperation, and anticipates the prospects of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

The opening ceremony has become a CAEXPO symbol and brand of unique charm.

Themes of the previous opening ceremonies:

The fourth CAEXPO: Harbor/Port Cooperation

The fifth CAEXPO: Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Cooperation

The sixth CAEXPO: Customs-Trade Cooperation

The seventh CAEXPO: CAFTA & New Opportunities

The eighth CAEXPO: Cooperation on Environmental Protection

The ninth CAEXPO: Science and Technology Cooperation

The 10th CAEXPO: Harvest the Past, Sow the Future

Water remains a key element of the ceremony, for it features the spirits of cohesion, tolerance, justice, resolve and resilience, which are also characteristics of the CAEXPO.

The opening ceremony effectively showcases past, present and future cooperation between China and the ASEAN, as well as the important role performed by the CAEXPO during the course, earning high praise from participating leaders, officials and businesses.