Vandita Pant, chief commercial officer of BHP, said the China International Import Expo has become a significant event for BHP to seek new opportunities and create new values with Chinese customers. Here is an interview with Pant:

Vandita Pant, chief commercial officer of BHP. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Reporter: As a global mining company, how does BHP view the CIIE?

Pant: Over the past 40 years, BHP's resource products have provided strong resource support for China's economic growth, rapid industrialization, and urbanization process. We are proud of this contribution.

Due to our deep historical connection with China, we were invited by Chinese companies, such as Baowu Steel, during the first CIIE to sign multi-billion-yuan commodity trade contracts and memorandums of cooperation. The following year, BHP became one of the founding members of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. Since then, BHP has participated in multiple editions of the CIIE. In 2022, we made our debut as an exhibitor, showcasing our strategic layout. This year will be BHP's sixth consecutive participation in the CIIE and the second year as an exhibitor. It will also be my second time attending the CIIE and Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai since 2019, and I am looking forward to it.

Reporter: How do you see CIIE as a platform to promote business cooperation?

Pant: The CIIE not only provides a platform for multinational companies to showcase and achieve win-win cooperation but also shows China's determination to further expand its opening-up. Through the CIIE, BHP has established cooperation agreements with industry partners such as Baowu Steel, HBIS Group, and Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), to promote the overall process of steel production and copper smelting toward a low-carbon direction.

Reporter: Amid the slow global economic recovery, what signals do you think the CIIE will send to the world?

Pant: The annual hosting of the CIIE undoubtedly demonstrates the Chinese government's firm support for trade liberalization and economic globalization. It will also strengthen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation among countries, promote global trade and world economic growth, and drive the development of an open world economy.

Reporter: Looking ahead, what are BHP's considerations for its presence in China, and how will it further expand its market through the CIIE platform?

Pant: With China's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, BHP will firmly support and participate in this process, opening a new chapter for sustainable development and high-quality growth.

We look forward to continuing to share development opportunities with customers, business partners, and other stakeholders in China through this important platform, and contribute to the sustainable development of the Chinese economy.

By Cao Desheng

Liu Kun from Jiefang Daily contributed to the story.