[Commentary] On April 27, at the press conference of the State Council Information Office, Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen introduced that the 12th Central China Investment and Trade Expo with the theme of "opening, cooperation, transformation and innovation" will be held on May 21. Held in Taiyuan, Shanxi on the 23rd.
[Concurrent] Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce
During the Expo, 71 exhibitions, forums, inspections and docking activities will be held.
There are 6 major events, including keynote forums.
On May 21st, a high-standard foreign-funded enterprise symposium will be held. At present, more than 60 foreign-funded enterprises and more than 100 representatives of Chinese business associations have signed up to participate in this conference.
[Explanation] Wang Shouwen said that according to preliminary statistics from the organizing committee of the conference, all parties signed up very enthusiastically.
So far, 15 foreign dignitaries and ministerial-level officials, 19 embassies and consulates in China, 8 international organizations, 13 foreign investment promotion agencies, 70 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders have signed up to participate in the conference’s special events. And the number of applicants is still growing.
At the meeting, Lu Dongliang, Vice Governor of Shanxi Province, introduced the specific situation of the Expo Pavilion.
[Concurrent] Lu Dongliang, Vice Governor of Shanxi Province
The main exhibition hall of the main venue this time is located in the Jinyang Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center in Taiyuan, covering an area of more than 30,000 square meters, including comprehensive exhibitions, special exhibitions, and new product exhibitions.
For the four branch venues, we have entered the implementation stage in Datong, Shuozhou, Luliang, and Jinzhong.
Up to now, 1368 enterprises and organizations have participated in the main venue plus branch venues.
[Explanation] Wang Shouwen said that the Expo has been held in six provinces in central China since 2006, namely Hunan, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, and Shanxi. It is the only large-scale exhibition jointly sponsored by six provinces in China.
It has played an important role in promoting the rise of the central region, advancing the opening up of the central region, and "going out".
[Concurrent] Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce
In the past 15 years, the Expo has also played a very good role in promoting the opening of the six provinces of central China and strengthening regional and international exchanges and cooperation.
From 2006 to 2020, the import and export volume of the six central provinces increased from US$53.58 billion to US$387.27 billion.
The Expo has the functions of investment and trade negotiations, project docking, forum discussions, exhibitions, and policy releases. It is a grand event for the simultaneous development of domestic and foreign capital, the integration of domestic and foreign trade, and the promotion of various economic and trade cooperation such as cultural tourism.
Reporter Liu Xuanting reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Lu Yan]