Press conference for 2023 CIFTIS held at SCIO

Photo Source: The State Council Information Office, P.R.C. (SCIO)

A press conference on the progress of preparations for the 2023 CIFTIS was held at the State Council Information Office, P.R.C. (SCIO) on August 21. Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, and Sima Hong, vice mayor of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, gave an update on the development of China's trade in services and the preparations for the 2023 CIFTIS. They also answered questions from journalists, together with Wang Dongtang, director-general of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of the Ministry of Commerce, and Ding Yong, director-general of Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau. 

 Chen Chunjiang

 Assistant Minister of Commerce

Photo Source: SCIO

Chen Chunjiang said the 2023 CIFTIS will serve three purposes. 1. Build consensus to promote the high-standard opening-up of trade in services. For the first time, the core area of the comprehensive exhibition will be used to showcase the remarkable achievements in China's effort to expand the opening-up of the services sector and spur the innovative development of trade in services since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. More than 200 forums, conferences and other events will be held to a higher standard, including the Global Trade in Services Summit. 2. Further deepen pragmatic cooperation on service trade for win-win results. Emphasis will be placed on international cooperation and onsite events. The Promotion for "Invest in China Year": Services Sector will be held for the first time. In addition, a signing ceremony for the Beijing Convention on the Judicial Sale of Ships will take place. 3. Leverage advanced technologies represented by digitalization to stimulate the dynamics of innovation in service trade. Shining a brighter spotlight on the leading role of technological innovation, model innovation and business form innovation, the comprehensive exhibition and nine thematic exhibitions will focus on showcasing achievements in cutting-edge technologies such as chip R&D, quantum measurement and control, satellite remote sensing, AI, and digital healthcare.

Sima Hong

 Vice mayor of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality

Photo Source: SCIO

Sima Hong said that as the year of 2023 marks the first year after China's full resumption of onsite exhibitions, greater efforts have been made in onsite invitations for this year's CIFTIS, so as to further facilitate exchanges and business talks for win-win cooperation between exhibitors and visitors. The following will be highlighted at 2023 CIFTIS:

1. International participation and the role of CIFTIS as a platform for expanding opening-up. The UK, the guest country of honor, will set up its largest-ever service trade exhibition group since its first participation in CIFTIS. 51 countries and 24 international organizations will hold onsite exhibitions in the name of their respective nation or headquarters. As of August 20, more than 2,200 exhibitors, including 500 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leading enterprises, will participate in onsite exhibitions, covering 28 of the top 30 countries and regions in trade in services, with an overall internationalization rate of over 20%. 

2. Authoritativeness with higher-quality forums and conferences. 66 of the forums and conferences will be hosted by international organizations, embassies in China, overseas institutions, and state ministries involved, during which over 100 pieces of authoritative information such as the Report on China's Development of Trade in Services and the World Tourism Cities Development Report will be released. Over 70 enterprises and institutions will participate in the achievements releases, of which more than 60 will debut new products and technologies. 

3. Professionalism for fruitful results. Exhibitors' federations will be set up, and cooperation has been established with over 70 institutions to organize enterprises for participation and procurement. Investment promotion activities will be organized to provide precise services such as supply & demand matching and trade matching, turning exhibitors into investors. So far, nearly 5,000 enterprises have signed up to be online exhibitors, and over 12,000 invited professional visitors have confirmed their participation. 

Ding Yong

 Director-general of Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau

Photo Source: SCIO

The press conference was presided over by Shou Xiaoli, deputy director-general and spokesperson of the Press Bureau of SCIO. More than 50 journalists from 24 media outlets including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, and Economic Daily attended the press conference.