On 20 September 2017, The 2017 China Baigou International Bags and Suitcases Exposition, with the theme “Share Xiongan Opportunity and Enjoy the World Fashion”, was held from 20 to 22 September 2017 in Baigou New Area, Baoding City, Hebei province. The Expo was co-hosted by China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), China National Light Industry Council, China Leather Industry Association, Hebei Provincial Department of Commerce and Baoding Municipal People’s Government. Mr. Jiang Ming, Chairman of CGCC, Mr. Du Tonghe, Vice Chairman of China National Light Industry Council, and Mr. Wang Yueheng, Vice Mayor of Baoding Municipal People’s Government, delivered remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Expo. Around 500 participants, including representatives of Chinese governments, commercial sectors, exhibitors, media, as well as diplomats from the Embassies of Thailand, Lao PDR and relevant countries in China, attended the event. Upon the invitation, Mr. Li Yuan, Director of Trade and Investment Division (TID) of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), joined the Opening Ceremony and relevant activities.

At the International Market Cooperation High-Level Forum (Baigou) held on the same day of the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Zhang Zhigang, Former Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, made a keynote speech and deeply analyzed the opportunities and challenges of China’s transformation and upgrading in commercial circulation fields, as well as its sustainable development brought by the Belt and Road Initiative. Director Li Yuan delivered remarks at the Forum and briefed on ACC’s work in promoting ASEAN-China practical cooperation especially in the areas of trade and investment. The relevant participants also made discussions on the topics of “Tourism Industry and Economic Development of Baigou”, “How to Construct Baigou International Trade Eco-chain”, which were in a warm and active atmosphere.

The three-day Expo, with the exhibition areas of nearly 12,000 m2and more than 400 exhibitors, attracted about 20,000 visitors.