From January 28 to 30, Wu Zhengping, executive director-general of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Bureau and chairman of the Board of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), led a working group to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to carry out a promotion session for the ninth CIIE. The working group held working meetings with CIIE Regular Attendees including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Fung Group, as well as President of The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong Lo Kam Wing and Chairman of John Swire & Sons (China) Ltd. Jiang Yida, with a view to encouraging more Hong Kong enterprises to take part in the ninth CIIE.

Wu Zhengping said that backing from the motherland and connectivity with the world is not only Hong Kong's unique and prominent advantage, but also an important opportunity for Hong Kong to leverage the CIIE, boost high-quality economic development, and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. Hong Kong has been an important participant since the CIIE was first held in 2018. Wu extended a sincere welcome to more Hong Kong institutions and enterprises to join the CIIE family and participate in the ninth CIIE, bringing more of Hong Kong's international trade resources, high-quality products and professional services to the mainland market and beyond, and creating more compelling and win-win CIIE stories.

Officials from relevant Hong Kong institutions and enterprises noted that against the backdrop of the rising unilateralism and protectionism worldwide, the CIIE has sent out a resounding call to expand its circle of friends and cooperation, providing strong support for advancing economic globalization and the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment. They look forward to introducing more international resources to the mainland and helping more mainland enterprises go global through their participation in the ninth CIIE, so as to achieve two-way connectivity and mutual success through opening-up and cooperation.

Signing ceremony

The working group signed exhibition participation memorandums with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Greater China SME Alliance Association.

During its stay in Hong Kong, the group met with Zhang Yong, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR. Besides, it held work exchanges with Zhou Qiang, deputy director-general of the Office's Economic Affairs Department, and Zhang Gang, chief compliance officer of China Resources Group.

The promotion session was hosted by the CIIE Bureau and undertaken by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a comprehensive partner of the CIIE. Representatives of Bank of China, a strategic partner of the CIIE, participated in the relevant activities.

By Yang Yuxin