\u201cWhile the conference & exhibition industry is slowly recovering, with a lot of uncertainty around the world, China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2021 is giving an important signal and vote of confidence in this sector contributing to local and regional economies as well as the global economy.\u201d <\/p>\n
Robin van Puyenbroeck, Executive Director-Business Development of World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) told the media that it was significant to hold such a large-scale expo amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a demonstration of China\u2019s confidence on effective pandemic control.<\/p>\n
This is the second time for Puyenbroeck to attend CIFTIS since he took the position of Executive Director-Business Development at WTCA last year. From his point of view, the world is entering a new phase of \u201cdigital globalization\u201d, and the theme of this year\u2019s CIFTIS, \u201cTowards Digital Future and Service Driven Development\u201d, is an excellent way to summarize some of the major trends of global trade in the post-pandemic era. \u201cWithout any doubt, the theme is very much in line with the global development and digitization trends that accelerated during the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the past seven years, China has been the second-largest country in trade services. Due to the numerous restrictions on the movement of goods and people during the pandemic, the global volume of trade in services was in a slump and China was no exception. However, Puyenbroeck expressed his confidence in Chinese service trade sector: \u201cChina\u2019s growth in service trade had been quite steady throughout the pre-pandemic years, and I see no reason why that pace of accelerated growth would not pick up again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Puyenbroeck also stressed that China has some of the most successful digital technology enablers in different areas, which gives it a competitive edge in digital globalization and could become one of the core competitive factors for China in global trade.<\/p>\n
Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated at the UN General Assembly that China aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. \u201cAction on climate change is urgently needed, and the fact that CIFTIS assigns great importance to it is a meaningful step forward and of great symbolic significance.\u201d Puyenbroeck spoke highly of the integration of the concepts of carbon peak and neutrality into this year\u2019s CIFTIS.<\/p>\n
Puyenbroeck deeply appreciated the development of China in the past four decades, comprehending it as phenomenal in history. \u201cChina has lifted 770 million of its people from poverty and greatly improved the living standard of the population.\u201d He believes that China\u2019s view on open trade policy and accession to the WTO have played a critical role in this development. \u201cWe see it is very positive that China has made major headway in multilateral and bilateral trade and investment agreements such as with the signing of RCEP and the completion of the negotiation for EU-China investment agreement last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The WTCA is participating in both CIFTIS and China International Import Expo this year, both of which are excellent access to the vast Chinese market. As a firm supporter to free and fair trade, the WTCA advocates for a global trade infrastructure inclusive for all, as China takes a leading role in stabilizing global trade relations between all major trading blocks. Puyenbroeck has firm confidence in China\u2019s role in the global trade, \u201cthe world counts on China\u2019s support for inclusive reform of the global trade infrastructure, especially at the WTO, so that the system can work for everyone, and create prosperity and stability for everyone around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cWhile the conference & exhibition industry is slowly recovering, with a lot of uncertainty around the world, China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2021 is giving an important signal and vote of confidence in this sector contributing to local and regional economies as well as the global economy.\u201d Robin van Puyenbroeck, Executive Director-Business […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":214887,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-214877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n