Originated from Western China Development Program, WCIF has been playing a crucial role in serving the western regions since 2000. After 20 years of development, it has become an important platform for investment promotion, trade cooperation, and diplomatic service in Western China.
President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter to the 17th WCIF: “The WCIF is an important window for China’s opening up. It has created an important platform for Western China to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and deepen exchange and cooperation with the rest of the world.” In 2014, WCIF was positioned as a major institutionalized international event attended by party and state leaders. In March 2015, WCIF was included in the important national exhibitions to promote the Belt and Road Initiative (White Paper of the Chinese Government). The previous 17 Sessions of WCIF has witnessed the signing of 12,000 investment cooperation agreements with a total investment of RMB 6.8 trillion, recorded a cumulative total of 1,100 participating countries (regions), covered a total exhibition area of 2.06 million square meters, and benefited more than 60,000 exhibitors.
WCIF actively serves the overall strategy of China’s diplomacy, promotes high-level exchanges and interactions, and enhances international communication. Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Qishan, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Ma Kai, and other party and state leaders, 61 foreign dignitaries (former dignitaries), and more than 500 ministerial-level officials and heads of important international organizations, including Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of Canada David Johnston, Prime Minister of Mongolia Norovyn Altankhuyag, President of the Czech Republic Milo? Zeman, Prime Minister of Tanzania Mizengo Pinda, President of Guinea Alpha Condé, Vice Chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel, and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Luigi Di Maio attended the fair.
The guest country of honor mechanism has been established since the 14th WCIF in 2013. Mongolia, France, Germany, and Italy served as the guest country of honor for the 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th WCIF respectively. At the 15th WCIF, eight events in which France served as the guest country of honor were included in the overall framework of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the 16th WCIF, 11 events in which Germany served as the guest country of honor attracted more than 4,000 guests, and the German National Pavilion covered an area of 2,040 square meters; China and Germany had reached a consensus and numerous cooperation intentions on pragmatically advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in trade & investment and accelerating innovation industry cooperation between China and Germany, making WCIF one of the largest economic and trade exchange events between China and Germany in 2016. At the 17th WCIF, nearly 100 Italian companies participated in, more than 10 events such as the 2018 Sichuan-Italy Matchmaking Conference on Industrial Cooperation and Investment and China-Italy Culture and Innovation Summit were held, and 3 cooperation agreements between Sichuan and Italy were signed.
WCIF has fully demonstrated and witnessed the opportunities, achievements, and potentials of Western China. Governmental agencies, business associations, and enterprises from all over the world have taken WCIF as a platform to carry out pragmatic cooperation with Western China and Sichuan. Major international events such as Western China International Cooperation Forum, Western China International Sourcing Fair, EU-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair, and Education Forum for Asia Annual Conference have been successfully held, further strengthening the communication and connection between Western China and the world.
