President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 140th China Import and Export Fair, which opened in Guangzhou on October 14. The fair, marking its 70th anniversary, runs from October 15 to November 4 in three phases.
Guangming Online and Xinhua-affiliated outlets reported that Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 140th China Import and Export Fair on October 14. The fair is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government, and this year marks its 70th anniversary. In the letter, Xi said the Canton Fair has played an important role over seven decades in promoting trade between China and other countries.
광고 문의 · 300×250The letter described the fair as an effective platform for China to expand high-level opening-up and build an open world economy. Xi said China is willing to work with other countries to uphold the multilateral trading system and keep global industrial and supply chains stable. He also pledged to widen areas of mutually beneficial international economic cooperation and advance a more inclusive globalization. This is the official position of China's leadership.
Premier Li's keynote and the fair's scale
Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony the same day and delivered a keynote speech. According to 21st Century Business Herald, Li drew lessons from the fair's history: market connection is a way to create new growth rather than a bargaining chip, trade is a choice that improves welfare, and mutual benefit means empowering one another. He pledged to share market opportunities, expand cooperation and defend the international economic order, and said China supports WTO reform.
The WTO Director-General reportedly gave a video address urging reform and an open, rules-based trading system. More than 700 representatives from nearly 90 countries and regions attended the opening. Reports say over 30,000 companies are exhibiting and about 340,000 overseas buyers are expected, including more than 11,000 specialized, high-tech small firms and similar enterprises.
Meaning amid trade tensions
Coming as trade frictions with the United States and other major economies and debates over supply-chain realignment continue, the letter and speech are read as a message of openness and multilateralism. Some Western countries have pointed to China's large exports and subsidies, while Beijing answers with calls for mutual benefit and wider opening. The actual value of deals signed and the mix of overseas buyers will be known only after the fair closes.
