Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)

Mr. Yu Jianlong, vice chairman of the CCPIT

Mr. Nie Wenhui, director of the CCPIT General Office and spokesperson of the CCPIT

Chairperson:

Xie Yingjun, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

June 9, 2023

Xie Yingjun:

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this press conference of the State Council Information Office (SCIO). The first China International Supply Chain Expo will be held in Beijing. Today, we invite Mr. Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), to share the preparations for this expo and answer questions. Also present at today's press conference are Mr. Yu Jianlong, vice chairman of the CCPIT, and Mr. Nie Wenhui, director of the CCPIT General Office and spokesperson of the CCPIT.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Ren for a brief introduction.

Ren Hongbin:

Thank you. Friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! It is a pleasure to be here today alongside my two colleagues. I am also excited to have the opportunity to meet both new and familiar faces in the media. On behalf of the CCPIT, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the news media and individuals from all walks of life for your unwavering support for China's trade promotion efforts.

Today, we provide relevant information about the upcoming China International Supply Chain Expo.

The first China International Supply Chain Expo, recently dubbed as the "Chain Expo" by the media, will be held at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue) in Beijing from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 this year. The theme of this year's Chain Expo is "Connecting the World for a Shared Future."

We are well aware of President Xi Jinping's strong emphasis on the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains. He has repeatedly highlighted China's commitment to taking practical measures to ensure the security and stability of these chains on a global scale.

In May 2022, President Xi Jinping called upon the global business community to actively promote the interconnectivity of industrial and supply chains when addressing the 70th-anniversary conference of the CCPIT and the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit via video link.

Organizing the first Chain Expo is a significant step in fully implementing the principles outlined at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping's important video speech. This expo is a crucial initiative to actively contribute to establishing a new development pattern. It will expand the opportunities for Chinese-style modernization through increased openness. It aims to facilitate the deeper participation of Chinese companies in the global industrial division of labor, foster open cooperation within industrial and supply chains, and drive the advancement of a modern industrial system. Furthermore, it acts as a novel platform for exchange and collaboration, designed to enhance the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains in the post-pandemic era. This platform will strengthen cooperation and create shared opportunities for enterprises from different countries. It will foster a more organized, streamlined, and efficient global industrial connection while promoting the development of a resilient global industrial and supply chain.

The first Chain Expo is hosted by the CCPIT and organized by the CCPIT subsidiary, China International Exhibition Center Group Limited. Several international organizations will also co-organize the event. With an exhibition area of over 100,000 square meters, the expo will have areas dedicated to five major supply chains, including smart vehicles, green agriculture, clean energy, healthy living, and digital technology. It will also host an exhibition area for the modern logistics sector. The expo will feature an opening ceremony and the Global Supply Chain Innovation and Development Summit. Additionally, it will include five themed sub-forums centered around the five major supply chains, along with a range of supporting activities such as supply and demand matchmaking meetings, industry seminars, and new product launches. It can be said that exhibitions and meetings will work synergistically to achieve common objectives and reinforce one another at the first Chain Expo.

We are exerting every effort to promote the participation of exhibitors and potential buyers from both home and abroad for the first Chain Expo. We have sent invitations to various entities, including centrally-administered enterprises, state-owned enterprises, leading enterprises in the industrial chain, foreign-funded enterprises in China, private enterprises, and specialized and sophisticated enterprises. Additionally, we have contacted embassies and consulates abroad, overseas representative offices of the CCPIT, our counterparts in other countries, and foreign business associations, among others, to extend an open invitation to the global business community. Just last night, we held a promotional event for the expo and a meeting for Chinese and foreign enterprises, attended by nearly 600 individuals, including diplomatic envoys from relevant countries in China, foreign business associations, and representatives of both Chinese and foreign enterprises. We were pleased to witness more than 30 companies signing letters of intent to participate in the exhibition. Based on the current situation, the efforts to attract exhibitors and potential buyers for the expo have progressed smoothly, and there is substantial enthusiasm from enterprises of all parties. Presently, hundreds of Chinese and foreign enterprises, including top 500 global companies, specialized and sophisticated firms, small giants, and "hidden champion" companies, have confirmed their participation in the exhibition.

With the first Chain Expo just 172 days away, we are fully committed to attracting investments and securing exhibitors. We will further refine the exhibition design and prepare for forums and other activities, ensuring the resounding success of the first Chain Expo. We sincerely invite governments, business communities, and international organizations and institutions from all countries to participate in this expo. We eagerly invite guests from all walks of life to the Chain Expo in late November to participate in this grand event, share opportunities and collectively shape a better future.

We also extend a warm welcome to the media to continue your attention, coverage, and promotion of the Chain Expo. Furthermore, my colleagues and I are here to address any questions.