China promotes high-quality trade development, int'l standards cooperation: official

China is promoting the high-quality development of trade in services through high-standard opening up, while also striving to advance international standards cooperation and the internationalization of Chinese standards, an official with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said in Beijing on Saturday.

During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Yao Xin, Secretary-General of the CCPIT Commercial Sub-council, elaborated on the strategies that China is implementing to adapt to the evolving global trade landscape.

"To adapt to the changes in the global trade environment, China will further innovate and upgrade the trade in services, promote the high-quality development of trade and services by openness. So now you see, China has opened up more service sectors to improve the system of opening up of the service trade and take the initiative to dock with international high-standard economic and trade rules and further enhance the standardization of service trade," Yao said.

International standardization plays a pivotal role in global services trade. As a result, China has undertaken measures to advance the internationalization of Chinese standards, according to the official.

For example, last year, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formally set up a secretariat for a management-related committee in China. This marked the first instance of such an establishment in China in the 76-year history of the ISO.

"First, now we emphasize collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization. So, for example, we take the responsibility of the secretariat of the committee and management consultancy under the ISO, and we also draft some new standards [on issues], including the sharing economy, digital marketing, live streaming marketing, and e-commerce. And the second is now we are to innovate some new paths. Because in China, we have the association standard, so we use a new path that is from a social standard to the international standard. And the third now, we established some mechanism. So, for example, we organize the different standardization forum," Yao explained.

Nevertheless, there are challenges in the endeavor to promote the internationalization of Chinese standards, as noted by the official. This is because standards are the result of consensus-building, making it occasionally challenging to reach a consensus.

"So, I think now China needs to continue to strengthen its own capacity building and expand its international network. We should have more and more friends and actively promote the trade agreement and understand cooperation. So, China can contribute much more in the international standardization," Yao added.

Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the 2024 CIFTIS is taking place at the China National Convention Center and the Shougang Park in Beijing from Sept 12 to 16.

China promotes high-quality trade development, int'l standards cooperation: official

China promotes high-quality trade development, int'l standards cooperation: official

China promotes high-quality trade development, int'l standards cooperation: official

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition