Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo opens in Beijing

The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) opened in Beijing on Monday, featuring artificial intelligence (AI) products and application scenarios across multiple sectors.

Running through Friday, the five-day expo includes supply chain exhibitions in digital technology, advanced manufacturing, green agriculture, healthy life, smart vehicle, and clean energy, as well as a supply chain service zone.

Compared with the previous three editions, the fourth CISCE has a marked increase in internationalization. The number of exhibitors has grown from 515 in the inaugural expo to 676 this year, representing 85 countries, regions and international organizations.

The participants include leading Chinese and foreign supply chain companies, enterprises that use specialized and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, and industry associations. Among them, foreign-founded exhibitors account for 36.5 percent, while Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders account for 65 percent.

The share of overseas participants and the number of represented countries have both risen steadily with each edition of the event.

AI is a defining highlight of this year's expo. For the first time, the digital technology supply chain exhibition features a dedicated AI zone, bringing together leading Chinese and foreign AI firms.

"[AI] applications [on show at the expo] include high-level intelligent driving, smart factories, intelligent logistics, smart cities, smart energy, smart healthcare, and many other extensive uses. Robot volunteers and AI guides will also appear at the expo. The cooperation models are becoming more integrated. Exhibitors are not only showcasing products, but also entire chains and industrial ecology," said Li Xingqian, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

AI's presence extends across all exhibition areas. In the advanced manufacturing supply chain exhibition, AI-powered solutions for new industrialization are on display, while the green agriculture supply chain exhibition demonstrates AI's deep integration from farmland to dinner table.

The advanced manufacturing supply chain exhibition has also seen the establishment of a dedicated low-altitude economy zone on it, where more than 30 companies jointly present the full-chain ecosystem from cutting-edge technologies and innovative achievements to future development trends.

During the expo, more than 70 business and industrial exchange events will be held. Over 160 products, technologies, services and scenarios are expected to make their debuts.

The expo will open to professional visitors from Monday afternoon to Wednesday, and will open to the general public free of charge on Thursday and Friday.

As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the China International Supply Chain Expo is an internationally shared public good. First held in 2023, the expo has contributed to building more secure, stable, open and inclusive global industrial and supply chains.

Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo opens in Beijing

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday that any Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory is unacceptable, stressing that the Lebanese army is the "only party authorized to protect national sovereignty."

"There is no place for security zones or Israeli military positions inside Lebanon," Qassem said in a televised speech on al-Manar local TV channel.

He accused Israel of attempting to redefine the Nov. 27, 2024 ceasefire by maintaining freedom of military action inside Lebanon while demanding full compliance from Hezbollah.

He said any future understanding must be based on a complete halt to Israeli attacks, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.

Hezbollah remains committed to any comprehensive ceasefire but will not accept continued "Israeli violations," he said.

Qassem also said the United States can compel Israel to stop its attacks if it chooses to do so, adding that U.S. support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military will continue its long-term presence in the so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon, based on security needs, until the security threat to Israel is eliminated.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said on Sunday that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon, despite a recent ceasefire announcement.

Katz affirmed in a statement that the Israeli military would remain at all positions in the "security zone," which he claimed protects northern Israeli settlements.

He added that there was and is no restriction on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon to act to eliminate threats.

Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said Sunday that the ceasefire declared in Lebanon the day before is "fragile," according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Speaking during a situation assessment with senior commanders of units operating in southern Lebanon, Zamir stated that the military must maintain a high level of readiness for the renewal of combat operations, and the elimination of threats.

He added that the Israeli military continues to fight, and that its goal remains to protect communities in northern Israel.

The cumulative death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 4,057, with 12,121 people wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said Saturday.

Hezbollah chief says any Israeli military presence in Lebanon unacceptable

Hezbollah chief says any Israeli military presence in Lebanon unacceptable