More than 670 exhibitors from 85 countries, regions and international organizations turned up in Beijing this week for the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo. It opened Monday and runs through Friday.
This year adds something new: a dedicated Artificial Intelligence zone. Visitors at the opening tried on AI glasses and watched robots fight in the digital technology area.
The timing matters to the organizers. Protectionism is rising and supply chains are splintering, which has made trade harder and raised worry about economic resilience. China is pitching the expo as a place for openness and cooperation, under the theme “Connecting the World for a Shared Future.” China’s economy grew 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026, according to Xinhua.
What guests said
Kazakhstan’s trade ministry sent Zeinelgabdin Yer-Sagyn. “China has long maintained its position as Kazakhstan’s primary trading partner,” he said, adding that hosting the expo would strengthen cooperation in finance and logistics.
Egypt’s representative, Khaled Melad Rezek of the Egyptian Embassy in China, said the event should turn up chances for local manufacturing and for diversifying supply chains. He named cross-industry matchmaking sessions as a draw.
Business voices were warm. Wayne Shi, president of Sanofi Greater China, called the expo a hub that “promotes openness and collaboration.” Yin Zheng of Schneider Electric described it as a window where global companies can connect and share innovation.
From Southeast Asia, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of Thailand’s Board of Investment, said the China-ASEAN partnership “is more important than ever.” Anindya Novyan Bakrie, who chairs the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for closer ASEAN-China integration in EV batteries, renewable energy and food processing.
Dianne Tipping, chair of the Export Council of Australia, was at the expo last year too. “I was totally amazed at the technologies and the innovation,” she said. “The innovation is even more progressive” now.
In Italy, Giampaolo Botta of Spediporto, the Genoa freight forwarders’ association, said Liguria is taking part because “the Chinese market represents stability and reliability.”
Sources
- China expo highlights supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty
- Xinhua Headlines: China expo highlights supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty
