On 4 July 2019, the opening ceremony of the 25th China Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair (CLZITF) and the High-Level Forum on the Silk Road Cooperation and Development were held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province.
Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, declared the opening of the 25th CLZITF.
Mr. Lin Duo, Secretary of Gansu Provincial Committee of the CPC and Chairman of Standing Committee of Gansu Provincial People's Congress, and Mr. Li Chenggang, Assistant Minister of Chinese Ministry of Commerce, addressed the opening ceremony. Mr. Tang Renjian, Deputy-Secretary of Gansu Provincial Committee of the CPC and Governor of Gansu Province, presided over the opening ceremony and the High-Level Forum.
Vice-Chairman Leung Chun-ying said that the purpose of CLZITF, namely opening-up, exploration, cooperation and development, was in line with China's self-positioning in the new era and the general tendency of the world development. It was aimed at bringing about new opportunities, breaking new ground and providing impetus for a new round of high-quality opening up and international cooperation.
Secretary Lin Duo said that as Belt and Road Initiative continued to forge ahead, Gansu Province had become a prime land and frontier for China's westward opening up in the new era, providing vast space for investment for Chinese and foreign businessmen. Gansu Province was willing to work hand in hand with all parties to promote the BRI cooperation and make contributions to the development of the countries along the route.
Assistant Minister Li Chenggang said that China would embrace development opportunities with greater openness and strive to achieve high-quality development. The Ministry of Commerce of China would continue to support CLZITF and play a serving role for the western region of China including Gansu Province to accelerate its opening up and overall rise.
After the opening ceremony, Mr. Alexander Antic, Minister of Mining and Energy of the Guest Country Serbia, Mr. Yin Li, Deputy- Secretary of Sichuan Provincial Committee of the CPC and Governor of Sichuan, Province of Honor, Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), Mr. Wang Xiangming, General Manager of China Resources delivered speeches at the High-Level Forum on the Silk Road Cooperation and Development.
Secretary-General Chen Dehai said that ACC would continue to play a bridging role and work with all parties to promote cooperation between ASEAN countries and Chinese localities including Gansu Province within the BRI framework for the bright future of ASEAN-China strategic partnership.
With the theme of "Deepening Economic and Trade Cooperation, and Making Joint Contributions to Green Silk Road", this year's CLZITF focused on industries that leverage local strengths, especially 10 major green ecological industries such as clean energy, recycling agriculture and channel logistics, and held such activities as summit, forum, investment and trade promotion and exhibition, to promote economic and trade exchanges and project cooperation between China and countries along the route, and between China's eastern, central and western regions.
Leaders of Gansu Province, officials from central and local governments of China, representatives of 42 participating countries, international organizations and enterprises attended the events. (Picture credit to: Gansu Daily)