The just-concluded China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has been hailed by international attendees as a key platform for promoting cooperation in the services sector, with the strong global presence of many industry leaders making it a vital event to strategically engage with Chinese investors and institutions.
The five-day trade fair wrapped up on Monday after attracting participants from over 80 countries and regions, with a host of international organizations also taking part in the event which was themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity."
Many were seeking to leverage new opportunities for bilateral economic and technological collaboration, including Brett Stevens, the China commissioner for the Australian state of Victoria, who said there is robust collaboration in many fields between Australia and China.
"We are seeing a really strong collaboration in services such as age care services, in vocational training services, and in the higher education services," said Stevens.
This year's fair again drew more and more participants keen to tap into the opportunities afforded by the event, with Portugal being among 13 countries who were showcasing independent exhibitions for the first time.
"CIFTIS is of course a very impressive fair, because of the dimension, of the presence [of participants], it's quite important without any doubt. It's also the first time that Portugal is participating in CIFTIS with a pavilion here. And we did it because we think it was relevant to be present, to exchange views with Chinese investors, with other participants in the process of exchanges [and] of learning. But also because this is the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Portugal and China," said Paulo Nascimento, Portuguese Ambassador to China.
China initiated a national fair dedicated to promoting trade in services in 2012, which later became known as the CIFTIS. The event has attracted over 900,000 exhibitors and participants from 197 countries and regions since its inception.
Int'l attendees hail "impressive" CIFTIS event as key platform for collaboration, investment
A remote village on China's southwestern border, where many residents only became Chinese citizens two decades ago, has been dramatically transformed by government-backed tourism initiatives and modern infrastructure development.
Daman Village, nestling in the mountains of Gelong Town in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few years. What's so special about this village is that out of its 89 households, 57 were officially granted Chinese citizenship in 2003. Now, thanks to significant government investment, the village is becoming a burgeoning tourist destination.
The newly completed mountain-view guesthouses, which represent one of the key government-funded projects, offer breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks draped in mist from their balcony.
"The total investment so far has exceeded 60 million yuan (about 8.55 million U.S. dollars). We're also constructing a tourist reception center and renovating many homes into guesthouses. This project marks the largest one we've undertaken since the villagers became Chinese citizens 20 years ago. It will not only boost local employment but also significantly increase incomes," said Kunchok Dorjee, Party Secretary of Chongdui Village, which administers Daman Village.
This sum of money represents the largest government investment in Daman Village since its formal establishment. Beyond tourism, the funding has been used to rebuild the homes of all 89 families.
Daman, meaning "cavalry" in Tibetan, traces its roots back to Gurkha soldiers native to ancient Nepal who, after allegedly losing a battle with the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) forces, became separated from their main army and remained stranded along the border.
For generations, their descendants roamed the borderlands between China, Nepal and India, without nationality or official status. Their long journey as a stateless people finally ended in 2003 when the Chinese government granted them citizenship, classifying them as Tibetan.
Xu Hongbin, originally from Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, married a local woman from Daman Village. Reflecting on his first visit to the area a decade ago, Xu marveled at the changes the village has experienced in such a short period.
"A decade ago, there was only one road into the town. Now there are at least four. Everywhere you look, there are new buildings, guesthouses and restaurants. The development has been incredibly fast," he said.
Tourism fuels transformation in border village as residents mark 20 years of citizenship
