On the afternoon of November 19, the 2024 Global Industrial Cooperation Conference was successfully convened in Hangzhou. This conference was supported by China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC), and hosted by the Global Alliance of SMEs and organized by China Chamber of International Commerce Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce. Centered around the theme “Open Cooperation to Link the World”, the conference aimed to foster global consensus and enhance international industrial collaboration. Notable attendees included Mr. Wan Gang, Chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology; Mr. Christian Wulff, former President of Germany, Honorary Chairman of GASME, and recipient of the 2022 China Government Friendship Award; Mr. Yu Jianlong, Vice Chairman of CCPIT and CCOIC; Mr. Ye Zhengbo, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Long Yongtu, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Chief Negotiator for Chinas accession to the WTO, Mr. Chen Jianzhong, Chairman of China CCPIT Zhejiang Provincial Committee and CCOIC Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Lu Jianqiang, President of China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd. Jens Eskelund, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China; Carlo DAndrea, European Chamber Vice President; Eric Zheng, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai among other distinguished leaders.
Nearly 1000 attendees from various sectors including executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, executives from European and American major enterprises, along with delegates from international organizations and foreign business associations. Senior officials from foreign embassies in China as well as Chinese local government officials were also among the participants.
Chairman Wan Gang emphasized in his speech that amidst today’s complex global industrial landscape, it is crucial to fully respect objective laws governing international specialization while steadfastly promoting trade liberalization and investment facilitation. He stressed that tightening cooperative ties will significantly enhance stability within global supply chains, which aligns with common interests across nations.
Chairman Wulff remarked during his speech that Germany and China are pivotal countries representing Europe and Asia respectively—playing a vital role in world economic recovery. He expressed hope that governments worldwide alongside their businesses would strengthen industrial cooperation to seize opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution thereby fostering prosperity globally.
Vice President Yu Jianlong stated during his speech that consolidating global supply chain cooperation is essential due to its significance to all parties involved. He announced an upcoming exhibition organized by CCPIT that focuses on enhancing China’s international supply chain, which will comprehensively showcase advanced manufacturing technologies such as smart vehicles, digital technology, health living industries, while establishing a comprehensive platform that integrates production and academia research application aimed at sustainable and inclusive development within global industry cooperation.
Vice Chairman Ye Zhengbo highlighted open development as a defining characteristic distinguishing Zhejiang’s economy. In the past 20 years, Zhejiang has deeply integrated into global industrial cooperation, built a modern industrial system with the “415X” advanced manufacturing cluster as the main body, and promoted the transformation of the traditional “block economy” into a modern industrial cluster. More and more multinational companies will choose to carry out industrial cooperation with Zhejiang and thrive in Zhejiang.
Long Yongtu, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Chief Negotiator for Chinas accession to the WTO, Jens Eskelund, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Lu Jianqiang, President of China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd., and An Conghui, President of Geely Holdings Group, CEO of Zeekr Intelligent Technology, delivered keynote speeches respectively. They shared their opinions, suggestions and valuable experience on strengthening cooperation in the global industrial chain and supply chain under the current world situation.
During roundtable discussions featuring top executives such as Lu Yuebing (Chairman of the Board of Air Liquide China), Huang Xiaojun (General representative of Veolia Group in China), Hu Jianjun (Vice President of Siemens China) and other Fortune 500 executives introduced the global layout of their companies and discussed their globalization development strategies. The heads of business associations shared the development situation and prospects of their member companies in China, as well as the obstacles faced by enterprises in global trade and investment, offered solutions and put forward key suggestions and directions for improvement on China’s investment environment.
Mr. Chen Jianzhong, Chairman of CCPIT Zhejiang Provincial Committee and CCOIC Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, said when presiding over the “Dialogue between International Organizations and Business Associations Executives” that business associations, as one of the three cornerstones of the market economy, play a role as a bridge and bond between the government and enterprises. In the first half of this year, the “Zhejiang Foreign Business Environment Evaluation Report (2023)” issued by CCPIT Zhejiang Provincial Committee shows that the foreign business environment in Zhejiang has been significantly improved, and the investment income of foreign enterprises in Zhejiang is still expected to grow.
The signing ceremony of cooperation projects was also held at the conference. SCHMUHL (Germany), PPC Milestones (Austria), PT Prince Fayze Allashimi (Indonesia), IDS (Australia), Kuramoto (Japan), SAFEWELL GROUP HOLDINGS LTD (Hong Kong), Japan’s Hongonse Co., Ltd., and Taiwan Haomeng Automotive Materials Co., Ltd. respectively signed cooperation agreements with relevant industrial parks and enterprises in Zhejiang.
The conference also issued Hangzhou Initiative on Safeguarding and Promoting Re-Globalization, hoping that governments, international organizations, business associations and enterprises of all countries will transcend differences and seek cooperation to support and promote re-globalization.