The Western China International Fair (hereinafter referred to as the WCIF) is hosted by the People’s Government of Sichuan Province. It originated from China’s initiative of large-scale development of western regions and was first launched in May 2000. The permanent venue is located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The Expo is a major institutionalized international exhibition, serving as an important platform for the Belt and Road Initiative and a key window for China’s opening up. It has been successfully held 19 editions.
In his congratulatory letter to the 17th WCIF, President Xi Jinping stated: “As a major window for China’s opening up, the fair has created an important platform for the western regions of China to jointly develop the Belt and Road, as well as to enhance communication and cooperation with countries around the world. The western regions, with their vast land, abundant resources, great opportunities, and strategic locations, have made significant progress in recent years as China advances the strategy to develop and open up the western regions. By actively participating in the development of the Belt and Road, more vitality will be unleashed in these regions, making them a key part of China’s broader efforts to open up further, through links running both eastward and westward, across land and sea.”
The 20th WCIF is themed “Deepening Reform to Boost Momentum, Expanding Opening Up to Promote Development.” Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the 20th WCIF will fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, study and follow the instructions from important speeches of General Secretary Xi Jinping at a symposium on boosting the development of China’s western region in the new era and his congratulatory letter to the WCIF, and implement his directives on Sichuan’s development. The WCIF will further strengthen its role as an important window for China’s opening up and provide a platform for deepening exchanges with countries around the world. Additionally, it will serve the Belt and Road Initiative and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle development, driving the western region to form a new pattern of coordinated protection, overall opening up, and high-quality development. With this effort, it will accelerate the development of the national strategic hinterland and the “Two Hubs, Two Bases, One Shield,” striving to present Sichuan with new opportunities arising from the large-scale development of the western region in the new era.
