Top global event organizers convene in Tianjin to explore cooperation opportunities in China

The 20th China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO) kicked off in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday, bringing together industry professionals from across the world to discuss the future of the global exhibition industry and explore opportunities for international cooperation and sustainable development.

Themed "Empowering a Sustainable Future with New Quality Productive Forces," the three-day forum has attracted over 600 industry professionals from 20 countries and regions, including China, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with participants sharing insights and discussing the future prospects of the global exhibition industry.

In interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), leading event organizers from around the globe highlighted that the vast opportunities presented by the Chinese market continue to draw them back to the country, stressing the significant appeal and potential of the exhibition industry.

"A lot of international exhibition companies came to CEFCO, came to China. And they brought us a lot of very international industrial exhibitions [which] widened our eyesight," said Lin Shunjie, Chairman of the China International Exhibition Center Group.

"We are here supporting it since the beginning back in Beijing in 2005. Over the last three years, I think that there are more international participants. So, it's a good way to mix and match Chinese stakeholders with international stakeholders," stated Adeline Vancauwelaert, COO of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).

Michael Kruppe, General Manager of Shanghai New International Expo Center also emphasized that CEFCO has played a significant role in boosting the exhibition economy and creating a ripple effect that supports broader economic development.

"So, now we have what we call an economic factor. For example, our exhibitions have a factor of 12 to 1. So, one RMB spent in my venue, gives the city of Shanghai 12 RMB. Because you have visitors, they go to restaurants, they take trains, they go to catering. When an exhibition is not happening, all these revenues are not existing. And that is why I think that CEFCO and government involvement becomes more and more important. And that's also why we as stakeholders are looking for closer relations with the government and with CEFCO," said Kruppe.

Since its inception in 2005, the CEFCO has been held in various cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Macao. It has attracted tens of thousands of exhibition industry professionals from over 30 countries and regions, facilitated the launch of numerous high-quality exhibition projects, and played an important role in fostering cooperation between China's exhibition sector and its international counterparts.

Top global event organizers convene in Tianjin to explore cooperation opportunities in China

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests