As a manufacturing hub of super-hard materials and artificial diamonds, central China's Henan Province is closely coordinating 120 enterprises, 32 high-tech companies, and 18 provincial engineering technology research centers to steer the industries towards the medium- and high-end.
Henan's Zhecheng County has built complete industrial chain and innovation chain on super-hard materials, and is growing a industrial cluster with an annual output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion U.S. dollars).
Henan Province produces 10 million carats of synthetic diamonds annually, of which six million carats are exported, accounting for 50 percent of China's total export of lab-grown diamonds.
With the same optical, physical and chemical properties, artificial diamonds rival natural diamonds, but their prices are 10 to 20 percent of those of the natural ones.
Zhecheng County has been mass-producing synthetic diamonds of up to 30 carats.
"I learned from the Internet that Henan makes great artificial diamonds," said consumer Huang Tao from eastern Anhui Province at the China Zhecheng lab-grown diamond trading center.
"There are lab-grown diamond jewelry with various new design styles, and they are very cost-effective," said Yang Xiaoting, another consumer from Anhui.
"I've just chosen a necklace, and was just told that the center provides customized services, with many choices," said a customer surnamed Tian from northern Shanxi Province.
"Besides customers from across China, we also receive visits by foreign businesspeople. They will reach out to us for further contact if they are interested in cooperation," said Jiang Ting, an employee with the center.
The county boasts nearly 1,400 patents on industrial diamond products, which are popular on the global market.
The exported products include single crystal diamonds and 20 categories of diamond micron powder - an ultra-fine abrasive made with artificial diamonds used for grinding and polishing hard materials.
Zhecheng County's annual output and export of diamond micron powder account for over 90 percent of national total, and annual output and export of single crystal diamonds account for 60 percent of national total.
"This wire saw uses special diamond micron powder of five-micron level, which makes the wire saw more powerful. It is mainly used for cutting products including single crystal silicon and photovoltaic panels, featuring faster cutting and thinner incisions," said Bao Siwei, deputy general manager of a diamond products manufacturer in Zhecheng County.
Artificial diamond industry in Henan shaping 20-bln-yuan cluster
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
