SINGAPORE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is leading a delegation of 187 business representatives to participate in the 15th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, China, according to a SBF press release reaching here Thursday.

The delegation is to promote Singapore as a liveable and sustainable city for innovation, as well as a connector in partnering Chinese enterprises to navigate ASEAN and international markets, said the press release.

SBF Chairman and mission leader Teo Siong Seng said "For Chinese companies, Singapore has become one of the most viable partners to work with through third-country collaboration. For Singapore businesses, ASEAN remains a key focus region for internationalization, with half the companies surveyed keen to expand further into ASEAN, according to SBF's latest National Business Survey."

ASEAN countries, located along the China-proposed Belt and Road routes, can look forward to rising opportunities relating to regional infrastructure development. Singapore will continue to actively contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative as a connector and aggregator for the region and beyond, he added.

In line with the 15th CAEXPO's focus on innovation and Singapore's focus on "Resilience and Innovation" for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2018, the theme of Singapore National Pavilion at the 15th CAEXPO is Singapore - A Liveable and Sustainable City for Innovation, and featured 31 Singaporean companies.