The "Belt and Road Initiative" weaves together an international cooperation "win-win chain."

On November 28, in Beijing, at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Pavilion), a foreign exhibitor took a photo in front of the slogan of the 2nd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo. Ma Ziqian / Photo

"We must achieve development and prosperity in the coming decades through connectivity." "What we want is connectivity, not division; we hope that the East and West can cooperate with each other." On November 26, at the opening ceremony of the 2nd China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Chain Expo"), Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, representing the guest country of the expo, emphasized the importance of "connectivity" for international cooperation twice.

Building a smooth and efficient industrial chain and supply chain cannot be separated from strengthening connectivity, which is also a key point of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China. At this year's Chain Expo, under the slogan "Roads Connect the World," a series of images showcased the efforts of Greenford International Logistics (hereinafter referred to as "Greenford") in participating in the Belt and Road Initiative over the years, including assisting the first batch of Chinese steel rails to arrive at the railway laying base in Hungary and Serbia in 2023, marking the first entry of 50-meter-long steel rails from China into the European market. Xu Chizhong from Shanghai Greenford International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. told reporters that the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand and deepen, providing direction for enterprises to promote international cooperation and achieve mutual benefits.

　　"Almost all the products we brought to China benefit from this chain."

As the world's first national-level exhibition themed on supply chains, the Chain Expo is dedicated to promoting the connection of upstream and downstream in the supply chain and the integration of large, medium, and small enterprises. To better root their enterprises in China and integrate into the global industrial and supply chains, exhibitors from various countries have brought their "treasures" this year.

Uruguay, a South American country participating in the Chain Expo for the second time, brought its "national stone"—amethyst. "We hope to let more people understand the importance of amethyst to Uruguay's economic development and cultural exchange." Martin Orlando, Minister-Counselor of the Uruguayan Embassy in China, introduced that Uruguay not only produces minerals but is also a major exporter of agricultural products, with beef, soybeans, milk, and wine being key products showcased at this year's Chain Expo. "It is not an exaggeration to say that almost all the products we brought to China benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative."

In 2018, Uruguay became the first country in the Southern Common Market to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative with China (the largest economic integration organization in South America—editor's note). China has maintained its position as Uruguay's largest trading partner and export market for 12 consecutive years. According to Orlando, the close economic and trade ties between China and Uruguay, based on their high degree of agricultural complementarity, cannot be separated from the understanding and trust among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. China has continuously increased its capacity cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, driving more developing economies like Uruguay to participate in the global value chain.

Under the theme of "Linking the World, Creating the Future," focusing on high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative has become a major highlight of this year's Chain Expo. More than 40 exhibitors from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative attended, accounting for 40% of the total number of overseas exhibitors. The supply chain service exhibition area also newly established a "Belt and Road" section, providing a platform for enterprises from various countries to showcase supply chain cooperation models under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Exchanging experiences with companies that came to consult has been the main task of Huang Lili, Vice Chairman of the Macao Digital China Technology Alliance, who is attending the Chain Expo for the first time. "We registered for the exhibition at the invitation of the Macao Investment Promotion Bureau," Huang Lili told reporters. At this year's Chain Expo, the full-process display of key links in the technology innovation chains of various countries has greatly impressed her, and she looks forward to showcasing Macao's economic consumption power and urban influence to business partners worldwide.

Founded in 2019, the Macao Digital China Technology Alliance is one of the results of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's deep participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to help digital industry enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries connect with enterprises in Macao and mainland China that support rural revitalization. Huang Lili introduced that many enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries expressed a strong willingness to cooperate with China after visiting. To this end, the alliance was established with the support of the Macao SAR government and has also built a cross-border e-commerce platform represented by "New Mainland Purchase."

"Macao can play an important hub role; foreign enterprises can sell products to Macao and then enter the mainland market; products from the mainland can also pass through Macao to reach more countries." Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, and East Timor are all countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Huang Lili said, "The supporting policies of the Belt and Road Initiative cover all aspects of the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem, bringing tangible benefits to foreign merchants, which has led to the flourishing cooperation between China and foreign countries today."

　　"Guest country meets guest province."

To truly realize the "chain" of friendship, this year's Chain Expo set up the "Guest Country Meets Guest Province" event for the first time. On November 26, Hungary, as the guest country of this year's Chain Expo, partnered with the guest province, Hubei Province of China, to hold an international cooperation matchmaking meeting for the supply chain, signing 9 projects on-site with a total contract amount of 30.2 billion yuan. Gabor Jeney, Director of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency, stated: "China is Hungary's most important trading partner outside of Europe, and since 2015, the bilateral trade volume has nearly doubled."

Like a bond, the Belt and Road Initiative connects Hungary and Hubei Province of China on the same "win-win chain." Hungary is the first European country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with China. Jeney stated that Hungary is located in the center of Europe, implements an eastern opening policy, and has firmly supported the Belt and Road Initiative for nearly a decade. Its strategic location, coupled with highly developed infrastructure and a commitment to promoting innovation and cooperation, makes Hungary a natural "bridge" for East-West exchanges.

Hubei, known for its "communication between the north and south, and connection between the east and west," is an important node where the Belt and Road Initiative intersects with the Yangtze River Economic Belt. From Yiwei Lithium Energy in Jingmen and Sifang Optoelectronics in Wuhan setting up factories in Hungary, to the launch of direct trains from Wuhan to Hungary, many of Hubei's advantageous and emerging characteristic industries are closely linked with Hungary. "Only by partnering can we go further," said Long Xiaohong, Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce, quoting a Hungarian proverb at the matchmaking meeting.

"What this year's Chain Expo provides is not just a simple exhibition of goods and signing of contracts, but a greater emphasis on the exchange and cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises in the global supply chain, allowing exhibitors to better identify and explore their accurate positions in the supply chain with potential partners," said Yu Yi, Director of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Office. Through the Chain Expo, it aims to facilitate the most suitable and forward-looking cooperation match, "The Chain Expo focuses not on short-term transactions, but on long-term cooperation; not on commodity transactions, but on industrial cooperation."

　　"Creating a larger 'circle of friends' through the 'chain'"

In promoting the sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development of the global supply chain, Chinese enterprises, using the Belt and Road Initiative as a lever, have demonstrated responsibility and commitment, and have also "linked" to create a larger "circle of friends," gaining increasing international recognition.

On the promotional brochure prepared for this year's Chain Expo in Greenford, there is a global network map starting from China, with routes covering Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. After nearly 30 years of hard work, Greenford has not only gained considerable orders but has also built a continuously expanding global "circle of friends."

Xu Chizhong has worked abroad for many years, in West Africa, Latin America, and Europe. He pointed to the map and told reporters that countries in the "Global South," represented by Latin America and the Caribbean, have great development potential and are key areas for Greenford's current expansion. In addition, since the last Chain Expo, many companies have expressed interest in collaborating on trade with Africa.

"The company has been cultivating in Africa for many years, actively creating job opportunities for local young people, which has accumulated our influence and reputation, and formed a competitive business model," Xu Chizhong said. On the eve of this year's Chain Expo, Shanghai Greenford Warehousing and Logistics Group Co., Ltd. participated in the establishment of the joint venture Global Silk Road (Chongqing) Hub Port International Supply Chain Co., Ltd., aiming to connect all links of the global supply chain and promote the organic linkage of international channels, supply chain logistics, industry, and trade centered around the Chongqing hub port industrial park.

In Xu Chizhong's view, a healthy, stable, and resilient industrial chain and supply chain focus on "mutual exchange," and the ideal state is that the boxes sent out should also return fully loaded. This aligns with the views of Mandefero Hifeso, Minister-Counselor of the Ethiopian Embassy in China. "Only when good relationships are formed at each node of the supply chain can the industry succeed," Hifeso told reporters, which is also the reason why African countries are eager to participate in the construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Huang He, director of the International Economic and Political Research Center at Fudan University, further pointed out that the Belt and Road initiative has become a highly popular international public good and cooperation platform, promoting more efficient division of labor and cooperation among many "Southern countries," playing an important role in areas such as international settlement systems, regional financial cooperation, and regional division of labor cooperation.

In front of Ethiopia's national exhibition booth, the aroma of coffee fills the air. Hifeso enthusiastically introduces different types of coffee beans from his country to visitors, explaining how they cross multiple links and countries before finally reaching Chinese consumers. Hifeso stated that holding the Chain Expo connects production and consumption from around the world, allowing more people to share the dividends of economic globalization more equitably. (Intern reporter Ma Ziqian, reporter Jiang Tian)