Ding Xuexiang Attends Opening of 4th China International Supply Chain Expo and Delivers Keynote Speech

Summary

The 4th China International Supply Chain Expo opened in Beijing on 22 June 2026, with Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attending and delivering a keynote speech. Ding highlighted the increasing risk of fragmentation in global industrial and supply chains, and stated that China, as a responsible major country, effectively leverages its complete industrial system and super-large market to firmly maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains. He put forward four suggestions: strengthen mutual trust to prevent politicisation of economic and trade issues; strengthen trade facilitation to uphold the multilateral trading system; strengthen integrated development to deeply integrate innovation chains with industrial and supply chains; and strengthen resource sharing to maintain the openness and connectivity of global energy markets.

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile and heads of organisations including the International Chamber of Commerce attended the opening. Ding then declared the expo open and exchanged views with business leaders during a tour of the exhibition. The expo focuses on supply chain cooperation, aiming to promote stability and win-win outcomes in global industrial chains.

Commentary

For small and medium-sized enterprise owners, Ding Xuexiang's speech signals a positive stance: China explicitly opposes supply chain fragmentation and protectionism, and advocates multilateral trade and open cooperation. This suggests New Zealand exporters may face a more stable market access environment, especially for supply chain links related to food and dairy products. Among the four suggestions, 'strengthen trade facilitation' and 'oppose protectionism under the guise of green and low-carbon' are noteworthy – if China reduces non-tariff barriers, inspection and quarantine procedures for New Zealand honey, lamb and other products exported to China could be simplified.

Additionally, 'integrated development' emphasises the combination of innovation chains and supply chains, implying that technology-based SMEs (e.g., agritech, digital logistics) could explore collaboration opportunities with Chinese enterprises. However, the actual effect of these suggestions requires further observation; businesses should closely monitor subsequent specific policies, such as whether tariffs on critical minerals will be lowered or trade procedures for energy products streamlined. In conclusion: New Zealand SMEs could consider leveraging the expo platform to connect with Chinese buyers or join their supply chain networks to diversify market risks.

Keywords: Ding Xuexiang, supply chain, chain expo, China, multilateralism, trade facilitation, global industrial chain, open cooperation

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand