The China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), one of the world's largest and most comprehensive events for the services sector, has officially opened in Beijing on Thursday, drawing global attention.
Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony.
In the letter, Xi mentioned that the CIFTIS, having been successfully held for 10 years, is a vivid portrayal of the high-quality development of China's service industry and service trade, making positive contributions to the building of an open world economy.
"China will adhere to promoting high-quality development through high-level openness, improving institutions and mechanisms for high-level openness, innovating and enhancing trade in services, and actively aligning with international high-standard economic and trade rules. We will work to integrate regulations, governance, management and standards in the services sector, gradually expanding the openness of the service market, enhancing the functions of open platforms for the service industry and trade in services," Yin read Xi's letter.
In his letter, Xi also emphasized China’s willingness to work with all countries to jointly share opportunities, discuss cooperation and promote development in line with the general trend of economic globalization, to contribute to global economic growth and the wellbeing of people of various countries.
Leaders and representatives from international organizations also addressed the opening ceremony. They said the cooperation potential in the services sectors is massive.
"I think that President Xi said in essential that we need a fair globalization with a spirit of win-win. And I think that is the right way to go along -- not with protectionism, not with efforts to keep up hegemony by some countries," said Georgios Katrougalos, former Greek Foreign Minister, after the ceremony.
"When the prime minister and the president spoke a few weeks ago, they agreed that trade and investment was one of the areas that we should be looking to collaborate more. So, I am very much here to support the UK's services businesses across financial, professional services, sports, education, tourism, and life care, and life sciences and health care," said Lewis Neal, UK's HM Trade Commissioner to China.
"I was very heartened by the words that I heard from President Xi. I think the opportunities to open up the relationship between New Zealand and China into an extended focus on trade and services is a tremendous opportunity for New Zealand. The trade in education and tourism has been incredibly important, and we know that there's a two-way opportunity there," said Chris Lipscombe, president of New Zealand China Friendship Society.
The 2024 CIFTIS, themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity", features a diverse range of activities, including summits, exhibitions, business negotiations and promotions, and achievement releases. It will last for five days.
Int'l services trade fair opens in Beijing with Xi's congratulatory letter
