NANNING - There is great potential for China and ASEAN countries to cooperate in industry, and China hopes to speed up the construction of cooperative industry zones, a Chinese official said at the ninth China-ASEAN Expo on Saturday.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have made progress in cooperating to build industrial zones in recent years, and the two sides should take pragmatic measures to develop advanced manufacturing industry, said Su Bo, vice minister of industry and information technology.

Speaking on the sidelines of the expo in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Su said, "Cooperation in industrial zone construction is an important way to boost the development of advanced manufacturing."

The official expressed the hope that the two sides can build up more high-level and cross-border industrial zones, which could provide better platforms for cooperation.

He suggested that China and the ASEAN strengthen governmental dialogues and exchanges to set up a sound mechanism to promote investment and cooperation by various enterprises.

A proposal regarding jointly promoting development of advanced manufacturing industry was also published at the forum.

It noted that China and the ASEAN will enhance investment and cooperation in manufacturing fields, including machinery, vehicles, ships, nonferrous metallurgy, electronic information, household appliances, food and medicine, textiles and furniture.

Representatives of nearly 20 industrial zones from the 10 ASEAN members have attended the expo, which runs until Tuesday.