On 21 May 2021, the 12th Central China Investment and Trade Exposition (referred to as “Expo Central China”) was inaugurated in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. 

Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius addressed the audience via video. Mr. Lou Yangsheng, Secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shanxi Provincial People’s Congress, Mr. Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, and other guests attended the opening ceremony and delivered welcome remarks.The governors (acting governors) of six provinces of Central China, including Hunan, Henan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Shanxi, delivered speeches at the keynote forum. Mr. Vladimir Norov, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Mr. Graham Stuart, Minister of the British Department for International Trade, and Mrs. Isabelle Durant, Acting Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, delivered video speeches. Senior officials from other countries, diplomatic envoys and embassy officials in China, representatives of international organizations, heads of business associations, experts and scholars, business representatives, and representatives of China’s ministries, other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities attended the opening ceremony and keynote forum. Mr. He Fei, Deputy Director of the Information and Public Relations Division of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the events upon invitation.

Prime Minister Jugnauth said China is the world’s second largest economy. Innovation and new infrastructure have been giving a strong impetus to economic growth. China’s successful experiences are worth learning from. This year’s Expo Central China has given new momentum to revitalize the economy in the post-pandemic era,which once again demonstrates the growth and creativity of China as well as the enterprising spirit of Chinese people. China will play an increasingly important global role in the future. 

Secretary Lou Yangsheng said pushing for high-quality development of the Central China is a major strategy for China’s coordinated development of all regions. At present, the development of the central region has ushered in a new round of historical opportunities. It is necessary to expand new space with all-round opening up, make new breakthroughs with multi-field cooperation, achieve new strides with deep transformation, and grow new momentum with high-level innovation, so as to promote the development of the central region to a new high.

Vice Minister Wang Shouwen said the central region of China is an important part of the national market and a spatial hub. The Ministry of Commerce will continue supporting high-quality development of the central region, build a modern circulation system, better leverage the platforms such as the Pilot Free Trade Zone and national-level economic development zones, strengthen international cooperation on technology, resources and energy, and drive industries to cluster and prosper in the central region.

The Expo Central China is a high-profiled, large-scaled, comprehensive economic and trade event to promote the rise of Central China. The event is held once every two years, rotating among the six central provinces. This year’s Expo Central China will be held from May 21 to 23 with the theme of “Opening-up and Cooperation, Transformation and Innovation”. The event is held both online and offline with one main venue and four sub venues. Activities include exhibitions, investment and trade negotiations, special forums and others. 

Before the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee Lan Fo’an met with foreign diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations and foreign trade associations. ACC representative attended the meeting. During the Expo, ACC representative also attended the Conference on Shanxi Merchants and Talents at Home and Abroad Facilitating Transformation and Development of Shanxi, the signing ceremony of state-owned and private enterprises, and visited the investment and trade exhibition.