The High-level Dialogue of Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a major part of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on June 10.

The event brought together officials, entrepreneurs and scholars to discuss how the government, industries and companies can stabilize global industrial and supply chains as well as the prospects of economic globalization in the context of the epidemic.

Wang Bingnan, vice-minister of commerce and director-general of the CIIE Bureau, attended the event and delivered a speech. Former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also delivered a video message at the event, which was chaired by Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau.

In Wang's speech, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown support for the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

He said that the global industrial and supply chains are closely linked in today's world where countries are becoming increasingly dependent on each other, adding that it is important to discuss how companies and the government should respond in safeguarding the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains when faced with the impacts of the pandemic.

Wang hoped that attendees would express their opinions, contributing to the building of an open world economy and a community with a shared future for mankind, and help with the recovery of world economy and trade.

“We will further make use of these two platforms – the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum - - to facilitate international procurement, investment, people-to-people exchanges, openness and cooperation, contributing to the stability of global industrial and supply chains,” he said.

Wang welcomed companies from across the globe to share in the opportunities provided by the massive Chinese market, and officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from all countries to discuss ways to develop the world economy and foster international cooperation.

In his video message, Raffarin said that cooperation has always been the theme of bilateral relations between China and France. He noted that the mutual visits between Chinese and French state leaders last year had further enhanced the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

According to him, under current circumstances, countries should strengthen cooperation, safeguard multilateralism, show mutual understanding and respect as well as work together to confront the challenges.

During the dialogue session, panelists held a discussion on topics related to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the global industrial chain and businesses, what measures companies should take to overcome the challenges, the role of governments in stabilizing the global supply chain and more.

Special guests of the session included He Yaqiong, deputy director-general of the Bureau of Operational Monitoring and Coordination at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xie Jianmin, first-level counselor at the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Wang Xinkui, chairman of the Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Center, Jeongmin Seong, partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, David Aikman, chief representative officer, Greater China and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum, and John Denton, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Business representatives included Zhang Xinyuan, deputy general manager of Bank of China Shanghai Branch, Gu Yue, chairman of the Board of CPIC Property Insurance, Fabrice Megarbane, president and CEO of L'Oréal China, Gina Qiao, senior vice-president, chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer of Lenovo Group, Marco Hecker, chief strategy officer of Deloitte China and Zhou Xuejun, global vice-president of Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).

The panelists agreed that joint efforts by all countries are necessary to stabilize the global industrial and supply chains and accelerate global economic recovery amid increasing uncertainties in global trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and delivered keynote speeches at the opening ceremonies of the past two editions of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which is a significant part of the CIIE.

Several foreign state leaders and leaders of international organizations also attended the event and delivered speeches. Since its inception, the forum has brought together a number of representatives to discuss international economy and global trade.

A membership system was introduced starting from the second edition last year. To date, 41 world-renowned companies specializing in finance, manufacturing, electronics technology, medicine, agricultural products and logistics, have become members of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

The high-level dialogue was hosted by the China International Import Expo Bureau and the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Shanghai). 

This year's CIIE will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from Nov 5-10.