About CAEDA (China‑Asia Economic Development Association)
Institutional Overview
Founded in 1993 (initially as the China‑Korea Economic Development Association), CAEDA was officially renamed China‑Asia Economic Development Association in 2016 to support China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and expand its regional mission. CAEDA acts as a trusted gateway for governments, businesses, and institutions aiming to engage with China through the Belt and Road Initiative.
CAEDA is a national-level, non-profit, professional organization operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and formally registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Mission & Capabilities
CAEDA’s main goal is to promote economic, trade, and cultural cooperation across Asia, especially within BRI corridors, by coordinating industry partnerships and institutional dialogues between China and partner countries.
Its capabilities include organizing delegations, managing industry committees, facilitating trade missions, and supporting cross-border investment and cooperation programs.
The organization operates industry-specific committees (e.g., mining, agriculture, urban-rural coordination), enabling targeted events, conferences, and expert forums
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1993
Foundation of the Early Advisory Platform
Initial groundwork for China-Asia industrial cooperation begins under support from Chinese trade institutions. A precursor platform is formed to support regional export initiatives and joint trade forums. -
1998
First Asia-China Economic Cooperation Forum
Key regional stakeholders gather in Beijing and Shanghai to discuss trade liberalization, investment, and technology exchange across East and Southeast Asia.
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2003
Integration with National Development Strategy
The early platform aligns with China’s national economic policy under the Ministry of Commerce, expanding scope to infrastructure, energy, and technology.
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2008
Formalization of Institutional Network
An official committee system is created under government and private-sector oversight, linking provincial and international actors for coordinated development projects.
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2010
Initial Overseas Representation
Pilot cooperation offices and chambers of commerce are launched in Cambodia and Laos to facilitate infrastructure and trade deals under China-ASEAN frameworks.
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2016
Establishment of CAEDA in China
China-Asia Economic Development Association is founded in Beijing to promote economic partnerships across Asia, with support from key government and business institutions.
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2018
Launch of Regional Desks in Southeast Asia
CAEDA opens representative offices in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand to facilitate industrial cooperation and cross-border investment.
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2020 2025
BRI Strategic Expansion to Central Asia & Eastern Europe
CAEDA deepens engagement in BRI corridors by establishing strategic partnerships and exploratory missions in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Ukraine.
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2025
Launch and Active Operations of CAEDA Ukraine
The Ukraine Representative Office is officially launched. B2B sourcing, trade projects, and bilateral delegations are successfully coordinated, laying the foundation for long-term partnerships and investment flows.
Key Results & Activities
Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan)
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Over 261 BRI-linked projects have been initiated across 5 Central Asian countries, with a cumulative investment exceeding $136 million.
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Kazakhstan alone has attracted more than $30 billion in infrastructure and logistics investment, particularly through the China–Europe corridor via Western China.
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Established sector-level committees in mining, agriculture, urban-rural integration, and public procurement.
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Organized international forums and delegations with government ministries, UN bodies, and private enterprises, especially active in mining innovation and BRI infrastructure collaboration.
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Facilitated economic exchange and MoUs between China and countries such as Malaysia, Korea, and Ukraine via its Silk Road Cooperation Committee.
Middle Corridor & Eastern Europe (Kazakhstan – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Ukraine)
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Since 2023, trade flows along the Middle Corridor have exceeded 150,000 tons annually, positioning it as a viable alternative to Russian/Belarusian transit routes.
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The New Eurasia Land Bridge corridor (part of BRI) saw total transit volumes rise to $75 billion by 2021, with Ukraine identified as a potential strategic logistics hub.
China–Ukraine Engagement
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Since 2023, CAEDA has engaged Ukrainian stakeholders in post-war reconstruction planning and future investment alignment under Belt and Road cooperation tracks.
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Dialogue includes logistics modernization, infrastructure planning, and participation in cross-border industrial projects.
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While specific signed deals are still confidential, Ukraine is seen as a future regional hub under the BRI’s European extension.
Flagship Infrastructure Projects under BRI
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Kenya: Mombasa–Nairobi railway built for $3.2 billion, cutting passenger travel time by over 50%.
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Laos: Completion of the Vientiane–Boten high-speed railway (2021) at a total cost of $6 billion.
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Egypt: Major BRI-funded thermal power station valued at $4.4 billion to boost energy independence.
Overall BRI Investment Scope
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In the first half of 2025, total BRI project volume reached $124 billion across 176 deals, exceeding the full-year volume for 2024.
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According to the World Bank, BRI infrastructure expansion could increase trade by 6–9% in corridor countries and up to 1.7–6.2% globally.
Governance & Leadership
CAEDA is led by senior figures from industry and government; The overall governing structure includes a Chairperson, Secretary-General, and heads of industry-specific committees, all appointed under rules approved by MOF and MCA.
CAEDA is led and overseen by a senior leadership team operating under guidance from China’s national ministries:
President: Quan Shunji (权顺基)
Executive President: Liu Honglu (刘红路)
Secretary General: Chen Jun (陈军)
Vice Presidents: Ma Ruihao (马瑞濠), Wang Jiang (王江)
Committee Advisors: Guan Jialin (关家麟), Piao Yingzuo (朴英祚), and others
These figures are responsible for sector-specific committees, international dialogues, and high-level delegation missions across Asia.
Honorary Members & Network
CAEDA’s Honorary Council includes renowned diplomats, state leaders, and strategic advisors contributing to China’s global partnership efforts, especially under the Belt & Road Initiative.
| Name (EN / CN) | Former Title / Background |
|---|---|
| Gu Xiulian (顾秀莲) | Vice Chairperson of the 10th National People’s Congress Standing Committee |
| Tang Jiaxuan (唐家璇) | Former State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China |
| Chen Changzhi (陈昌智) | Vice Chairperson of the 12th National People’s Congress Standing Committee |
| Shi Guangsheng (石广生) | Former Minister of Commerce |
| Qian Shugen (钱树根) | Former Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA (General) |
| Kong Xuanyou (孔铉佑) | Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to Japan |
| Shao Qiwei (邵奇惠) | Former Minister of Machinery Industry |
| Zhang Jiuhuan (张九桓) | Former Director of Asian Affairs (MFA), Ambassador to Thailand, Singapore, Nepal |
| Chai Xi (柴玺) | Former Ambassador to Malta, Malaysia, and Bangladesh |
| Shen Guofang (沈国放) | Former Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations |
| Sha Zukang (沙祖康) | Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General |
| Zhao Yali (赵亚力) | Former Ambassador to Uganda |
| Cheng Yonghua (程永华) | Former Ambassador to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia |
| Xie Boyang (谢伯阳) | State Council Counselor, Vice President of the 9th All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce |
| Jiang Xiaoyu (蒋效愚) | Former Vice President of Chinese Olympic Committee |
| Zhou Daojiong (周道炯) | Former Chairman of China Securities Regulatory Commission, President of China Construction Bank |
Summary
China‑Asia Economic Development Association (CAEDA) is a national, government‑supervised non‑profit organization founded in 1993 and officially renamed in 2016. It plays a key role in coordinating Belt & Road trade, investment, and cultural cooperation across Asia. Through sector-specific industry committees and high‑level delegations, CAEDA supports verified international partnerships and strategic projects between China and partner countries, including project engagement in Ukraine.
With over 30 years of institutional experience, CAEDA serves as a bridge between China and Asia — and increasingly with emerging markets under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Whether you are a government agency, enterprise, or investor, CAEDA offers a reliable path to trusted partnerships and impactful cooperation. For collaboration inquiries or partnership discussions, please contact our international coordination team.
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