Chinese Premier Meets Overseas Participants to Export FairZhu said that the fair has been China's largest and highest-level exports event since the first was held in 1957. He pointed out that export deals clinched at the biannual fairs accounted for one-third of China's yearly export volume. The fair is an important channel to promote China's exports and the country's friendly relationship with the rest of the world, Zhu said. The premier attributed the success of the export fairs in Guangzhou to the efforts of overseas friends and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. He said that although the complex global economic environment and the slowdown of the economy would overshadow China's economic development and the trade, Chinese are confident they can overcome difficulties and maintain a steady economic growth. China's upcoming accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will create both challenges and opportunities to domestic economic development, Zhu said, adding that China will be a responsible member in the WTO and will play a constructive role in the organization. Participants to the current fair include trade representatives from Cuba, the Netherlands, Canada, and delegations from overseas industrial and commerce organizations and overseas celebrities. They spoke highly of the achievements of the fair and said they had confidence in China's economic prospects. The record transaction level at the fair, regarded as a barometer of China's trade, has reached 15 billion U.S. dollars, compared with 18 million U.S. dollars in the first session. This autumn fair, which is the largest in history with a total of 4,769 companies registered, is significant as it occurs just prior to the WTO entry of China. The 12-day fair features 8,153 exhibition booths. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |
