By Qiu Quanlin

The China Import and Export Fair, internationally known as "Canton Fair," has played an important role for Chinese enterprises to go globally, noted a senior commercial official.

 

Yi Xiaozhun, Vice-Minister of Commerce, yesterday also highly praised Canton Fair's increasing role in promoting trade development between Chinese enterprises and their overseas counterparts.

China has seen a rapid foreign trade development in recent years, with the import and export volume reaching $1,800 billion last year. And it is expected to hit more than $2,000 billion this year.

"China will give priorities to balance import and export development in the years to come. We believe that the Canton Fair will promote a balanced trade development between China and other countries and regions," Yi said. At its 101st session in last Spring, the fair, for the first time, introduced an import commodities zone. 

"More overseas enterprises will have a better access to showcase their commodities in China since then. And the import zone will promote cooperation between Chinese and overseas enterprises," Yi said.

Yi made the remarks at the Canton Fair's reception last night, which was jointly sponsored by the fair's organizing committee and the municipal government of Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's Fujian Province.

As one of the dynamic cities along the Taiwan Straits, Xiamen has seen a fast overall economic and social development over the past two decades, said Liu Cigui, mayor of Xiamen.

 

Xiamen, which was listed by the central government as one of the special economic zones 26 years ago, has realized an average annual increase of 18 percent and 24 percent in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) and industrial output value respectively in the past years,

according to Liu.

So far, Xiamen has established close trade and economic relations with 213 countries and regions. 

And some 7,454 foreign companies from 71 countries and regions have made investment in the city.

"The reception here tonight will help promote Xiamen's overall development and potential investment opportunities to international delegates attending the world-renowned Canton Fair," Liu said.

Liu also sincerely invited domestic and overseas delegates to pay visits to Xiamen. "In Xiamen, we can realize a win-win cooperation," Liu said.

 

Source: Canton Fair News