Industrial cooperation and international competitiveness under Belt and Road

A forum on industrial international competitiveness was held on Thursday, as a supporting activity to the first China International Import Expo, to discuss industrial cooperation and international competitiveness under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Nearly 300 people attended the forum, including scholars from home and abroad, research institutions and businesses, and representatives from government departments in the Yangtze River Delta Region.

Yi Xiaozhun, deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, stressed globalization is irreversible.

"Over the past few decades, the multilateral trading system has played an important role in the growth of the global economy and trade, and has also provided a good opportunity and broad stage for China's economic development," Yi said. "And in the future, this system will continue to be a notable driving force for the development of Chinese and global economy."

Participants shared thoughts on industrial international competitiveness in their fields of expertise and recognized the positive influence of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

"I see the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity for us here in China to develop value webs around the world that are needed by the world, not just by China," said Jeffery Benz, an expert in dispute resolution, who works for the Sports Lawyer Association.

Trade organizations, leading enterprises and research institutions worldwide jointly proposed initiatives on enhancing industrial international competitiveness and promoting industrial international cooperation.

This proposal was a result of their common ground on promoting a better integration of industry on a global scale.

Participating parties agreed to build a cross-regional industrial communication platform, oppose trade protectionism and preserve a fair and free trade environment, carry out research on industrial international competitiveness cooperation and provide high-quality public services, as well as promote talent exchange and knowledge dissemination and optimize international industrial innovation ecology.