Against mounting cost pressures and evolving geopolitical headwinds, deeper supply chain integration and closer industrial collaboration have become ever more pivotal for global businesses to sustain innovation momentum and bolster trade growth, senior government officials and business leaders said on Monday.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said that global supply chains, industrial chains and value chains are closely interconnected, with every country serving as a link in the chain of cooperation.
Ding emphasized that safeguarding the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
Running from Monday to Friday, the expo has attracted more than 676 companies and institutions from 85 countries, regions and international organizations this year, according to the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the expo”s organizer.
Echoing the vision of enhanced international cooperation, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the world stands at a critical juncture. Geopolitical shifts, technological breakthroughs, climate challenges and shifting production paradigms are collectively reshaping the global trade landscape, he said.
Governments and businesses worldwide are now prioritizing greater resilience, diversification, decarbonization and sustainability throughout supply chain systems, Mashatile said, adding that in this context, restoring confidence in the multilateral trading system and advancing inclusive, sustainable economic growth have emerged as pressing global imperatives.
John Denton, secretary-general of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, warned that prevailing uncertainties may curb global business and investment activities by up to $400 billion this year alone.
However, he said, “Bolstering supply chains through digital transformation, refined operational approaches and modern trade practices could unlock over $3 trillion in additional global economic output over the next five years.”
China has also sought to reinforce these efforts through a series of policy measures, with the government rolling out a new action plan to stabilize foreign investment. The package pledges broader market access, streamlined investment procedures and more robust support for foreign businesses operating in the Chinese market, according to information released on Monday by the Ministry of Commerce.
Zhao Ping, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade’s academy, said China’s commitment to wider opening-up, advanced manufacturing development and industrial ecosystem improvement has underpinned the resilience and stability of global industrial and supply chains.
China’s foreign trade grew 15.3 percent year-on-year to 20.68 trillion yuan ($3.05 trillion) in the first five months of 2026, while foreign-invested businesses in the country recorded 6.02 trillion yuan in imports and exports, up 15.7 percent year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.
Business leaders said that against the backdrop of profound shifts in the global economy, building secure, stable and efficient supply chains has become a shared priority for businesses worldwide.
Landon Loomis, president for China at Boeing, said the United States-based aircraft manufacturer works with around 40 suppliers in China, with components produced by these suppliers incorporated into Boeing aircraft delivered worldwide.
Silvia Ding, managing director for China at Danish shipping company Maersk, said that Chinese companies have increasingly expanded their overseas supply chains across multiple regions and nodes, bringing greater complexity.
“With the continued development of China’s advanced manufacturing sector, industries such as electronics, automotive and new energy equipment are accelerating the expansion of their global manufacturing footprint,” she said.
zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn
