CIFTIS 2024 yields tangible results in promoting tourism, investment

The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Service (CIFTIS) in Beijing, which opened on Thursday and will run through Monday, has yielded tangible results in promoting the growth in sectors such as tourism and investment.

Sichuan and Hainan are the guest provinces of honor at this year's fair.

One of the most prominent attractions in the exhibition area of southwest China's Sichuan is a 5-meter-high lantern from Zigong City. Renowned for its lantern-making, Zigong's creations are recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, and the lanterns have been exhibited in more than 80 countries in a market-oriented fashion.

At the fair, Zigong secured projects with a contract value nearing 7 million yuan (about 1 million U.S. dollars).

China's southern island province of Hainan is promoting its Free Trade Port's one-stop service platform at the fair, which offers standardized solutions for government services to both domestic and foreign companies operating in the area.

Beijing, which has hosted investment-attraction activities at the CIFTIS for three consecutive years, is taking the opportunity to showcase its investment opportunities, favorable business environment and cultural appealing.

After the Beijing Central Axis has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, searches for one-day tours and homestays along the Central Axis have surged in popularity on e-commerce platforms, according to data from the fair's e-commerce conference.

In the business districts along the Central Axis, tourist spending has risen by approximately 40 percent from the previous year.

To boost its cultural tourism market, Beijing has become the first city in the country to establish payment service demonstration zones for foreign visitors, where over 95 percent of key business districts and scenic spots are equipped with POS machines accepting international cards, enhancing convenience for foreign tourists.

Beijing, Tianjin and north China's Hebei Province announced a new batch of investment projects on Friday, covering key industries such as new energy, intelligent connected vehicles, robotics and hydrogen energy, with a total investment exceeding 160 billion yuan. A total of 24 cooperation projects have been signed.

As the fair enters its third day, over 50 forums are scheduled, alongside the launch of more than 50 new technologies, services, and products.

The fair is showcasing a wide array of innovations, with expectations to unveil more than 200 integrated innovation results. A large number of the latest results have been released in the fields such as telecommunications, finance and digital economy in the past two days.

CIFTIS 2024 yields tangible results in promoting tourism, investment

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday said that the latest multi-subject drills conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in waters around the Taiwan Island are completely legitimate, necessary and reasonable.

Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks in response to a relevant query.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday conducted multi-subject drills in waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan Island.

On Wednesday, the Shandong aircraft carrier task group was deployed to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets in areas to the east of the island.

In his remarks, Zhang condemned the Taiwan authorities led by Lai Ching-te for recklessly carrying out provocative actions to seek "Taiwan independence," and escalating tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The PLA's drills demonstrated the determination and will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, serving as a strong deterrent to separatists who intentionally instigate conflicts, Zhang said.

Noting that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Strait are as irreconcilable as fire and water, Zhang said that those who play with fire will eventually get themselves burned.

Zhang noted that the more provocations they make, the faster they will meet their demise.

The spokesperson also said that certain countries -- if they truly wish for peace and stability in the Strait -- must adhere to the one-China principle and stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

The PLA will continue to intensify military training and preparedness, enhance its real combat capabilities to counter secessionist attempts and foreign interference, resolutely crush all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and firmly advance the process of China's national reunification, Zhang said.

PLA's drills around Taiwan legitimate, necessary, reasonable: defense spokesperson