Experts stress importance of information, trust, collaboration for global traders

Experts participating in the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing have stressed the importance of access to information, trust, and collaboration for global businesses to remain competitive in today's uncertain world.

Themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future", the five-day expo is scheduled to run till Saturday, gathering industry leaders and experts from around the world to promote global cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sidelines of the event, Anna Jankowska, program officer in trade information of International Trade Center, said the organization is working with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to enhance the access of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to trade information.

"Trade intelligence plays a crucial role, because now, as we know, in the current uncertain global context, access to timely, accurate, and reliable information on markets is crucial for firms of all sizes. Now, big firms often have economic research departments that can help them find the information. But especially small and medium-sized enterprises need tools and need information to help them identify and compare opportunities. And this is why we're really happy to cooperate with CCPIT on the Chinese version of the global trade help desk, which really helps businesses evaluate how economically attractive is a market, how much will it cost them to enter that market, what are the regulations, and how can they comply, and to also connect with potential partners and opportunities via e-commerce, via trade, finance, or even business partners," Jankowska said.

Linda Kromjong, president of Amfori, noted trust is really important for businesses to drive change and make sure they remain competitive, adding Amfori has some programs that can help its members build trust and foster collaboration.

"It helps our members, based on joint standards that are founded in international recognized standards, to really build that trust, find collaboration, make sure that you don't do it on your own, make sure that you don't invent the wheel again. This is the standard. Let's all work together. If we do that jointly, you save a lot of time and resources, but also build further trust within the supply chain," she said.

As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the CISCE has attracted close to 700 exhibitors from 69 countries and international organizations this year. Over 60 percent of the exhibitors are Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, and the proportion of foreign exhibitors has risen from 26 percent at the first CISCE to 32 percent.

In addition to exhibitions, this year's CISCE also includes a series of sideline events, including the release of an annual report on the global supply chain, and discussions on promoting supply chain stability, connectivity and accessibility, according to the event's organizers.

Experts stress importance of information, trust, collaboration for global traders

A 93-year-old veteran of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) remains committed to attending the annual on-site ceremony to welcome the return of the remains of CPV martyrs from the Republic of Korea (ROK), paying his full tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in the early 1950s.

Since China and the ROK signed a handover agreement in 2014 for the repatriation of CPV soldiers' remains, Li Weibo, the CPV veteran, has shown up at the site of welcome ceremony for martyrs every year, dressed in uniform and wearing his medals, to honor the departed comrades with his deepest respect.

"The first time I saw the news on TV, I immediately put on and straightened my uniform, then went to the site of the ceremony. I saluted to honor my comrades there," said Li.

In 1950, at the age of 19, Li graduated early from university and enlisted in the CPV as an anti-aircraft artilleryman. During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), the artillery regiment Li served in was responsible for securing the corridor between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Over the course of the war, the regiment had shot down 15 enemy aircraft and damaged 17 others.

"At that time, we had very few anti-aircraft artillery soldiers, but we defeated a powerful enemy with outdated weapons. So the weak overcame the strong," said Li.

After the war, whenever he missed his fallen comrades, Li would visit the martyrs' cemetery to honor them and express his eternal remembrance.

Besides, over the past decade, he has attended the welcome ceremony every year to witness the return of his comrades' remains. He hopes that, even after their passing, they can see the growing strength and prosperity of their homeland in their own way.

"I saw our country using a large transport plane to bring back the martyrs' remains, escorted by two fighter jets. Now, our nation's aviation has grown stronger. I want them to come back and see how much our country has developed and prospered," said Li.

Despite being over 90 years old, Li said he will continue to be one of the welcoming group members to honor the return of the CPV martyrs, always standing straight and wearing his uniform with pride.

"I want to be there to welcome them every time they return in the rest of my life. I will prepare my uniform in advance, straighten it, and be ready to welcome when they come home," the CPV veteran said.

From 2014 to 2023, China and the ROK, in accordance with international laws and humanitarian principles, successfully completed 10 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 938 CPV martyrs in the ROK, along with related artifacts.

CPV veteran upholds tradition of welcoming comrades' remains home from ROK