Promotional event on China's supply chain expo held in London

Business leaders from the UK and China gathered in London on Wednesday for a roadshow promoting the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), set to take place in Beijing from July 16 to 20 this year.

The third edition of the CISCE, the world's only national-level exhibition dedicated to supply chains, comes at a time when evolving global challenges are threatening the resilience of existing supply chains.

The roadshow, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China-Britain Business Council, aimed to strengthen China-UK trade ties and explore new opportunities for supply chain cooperation.

"Our partnership is pivotal for the deeper integration and open development of the world economy," said Yu Jianlong, vice chair of the CCPIT.

Global supply chains allow organizations to produce parts of their goods and services in different locations by linking markets and helping keep costs lower. Yet, as tariffs from the United States, disruption to Red Sea shipping routes and climate change threaten existing networks, businesses are starting to rethink their strategies.

"We need to focus on the 85 percent of global trade that is not affected by the tariffs that will be put up around a certain economy, doing it and others serious damage," said Sherard Cowper-Coles, chair of the China-Britain Business Council.

This year's CISCE will focus on six areas, such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart vehicles and digital technology, healthy living and green agriculture, with artificial intelligence (AI) as a prominent theme.

Jack Perry, CEO of the London Export Corporation, emphasized that AI will be an increasingly crucial feature of global supply chains.

"Where's your stock? You're going to be able to find that, how can you monitor it? Every single aspect of the supply chain will be built on blockchain AI facilities. Whoever doesn't adapt to that will be lost," said Jack Perry, CEO of the London Export Corporation.

The roadshow was also a chance for British business leaders who have worked in China to share their experiences.

"It's now increasingly competitive. Local Chinese businesses are stronger. And it's not so easy for foreign firms to do business and succeed there. But as it becomes more sophisticated and more advanced, there are so many more opportunities," said Jeff Astle, director of the London Shanghai Business Center.

Following its inception in 2023 and the success of the 2024 expo, organizers anticipate an even larger event in July. As of February, nearly 200 companies have signed up to participate, according to the CCPIT.

Promotional event on China's supply chain expo held in London

Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.

Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.

At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.

"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.

With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.

"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.

"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.

With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.

"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.

Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran

Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran