More than 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers for rail-sea intermodal transportation have been delivered via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor by Saturday as a train numbered X9596 heading from Qinzhou City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
The train was fully loaded with foreign goods such as edible vegetable oil, quartz sand and other materials from Southeast Asia.
The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members, now reaches more than 500 ports across over 120 countries and regions, according to sources.
"At present, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has linked directly or indirectly 73 cities and 156 stations in 18 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China, and the goods transported via it have reached 523 ports in 124 countries and regions around the world," said Huang Jiangnan, head of the Qinzhou Port's east railway station, Guangxi Coastal Railway Company of China Railway Nanning Bureau Group.
Data from China Railway Nanning Bureau Group showed that dozens of new commodities like Nigeria's lithium ore have been included in the corridor transportation.
Currently, the cargo transported along the route covers dozens of major categories including electronic products, complete vehicles and parts, machinery, small household appliances, and food, with commodities totaling 1,157 types.
China's western land-sea trade corridor sees record container throughput
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
