Global business leaders attending the ongoing fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing recognized China's value as a key partner for innovation, sustainability, and growth amid economic uncertainty and supply chain challenges.
The CISCE is the world's first national-level annual exhibition focusing on supply chains since 2023. It has contributed to building more secure, stable, open and inclusive global industrial and supply chains, according to the exhibitors and visitors.
"I believe if you want to connect with the world, you have to connect with Chinese supply chain, the size of the port, the infrastructure, the engineering, the skill here. And every time I come to China, I can see the development with my own eyes. And we as a company, we want to be part of that in our global business. So, I used to say that investing in China is like investing in the future," said Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, a Norwegian biotech innovator dedicated to improving human health.
"Like all companies, we are heavily affected by the geopolitics and the other global disruptions that are taking place. Perhaps China is providing more stability right now to the global supply chain than the other countries. China is the market you need to be part of if you want to stay competitive. So, in my saying, basically I see the Chinese market as our fitness gym. We need to train in the Chinese market to stay fit, to be globally competitive," said Kenneth Fredriksen, CCO of Aker Qrill Company, a Norwegian krill harvesting company.
"The SMI (Sustainable Markets Initiative) is really like grounded in long term thinking and I think which is really aligned with sort of China's stability and this is where we're drawing strength from China as we see instability around the world. As our third year here, we've definitely seen growth year over year and more and more international companies and delegations coming which is really wonderful. So, there's more business opportunity for China but also for the rest of the world," said Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of Sustainable Markets Initiative, a British company committed to sustainable transition.
"I'm really impressed by the innovation and speed at which China has transitioned but also the leadership position in bringing the ecosystems, the supply chains together not just for China's sake but actually for the sake of the whole world. China is the world leader when it comes to the energy transition," said John Grimes, CEO of Renewable Energy Council Asia Pacific, an organization for renewable energy in the Asia-Pacific.
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.
Global business leaders at CISCE see new opportunities in China amid global uncertainty
