China pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The week-long celebrations of under the theme of ‘Hainan Week’ to promote the province’s multi-dimension growth has been concluded successfully at the China Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai.

The aim of the week to promote and introduce the Hainan Free Trade Port’s construction achievements, economic construction and development and participation in the ‘Belt and Road’ construction and foreign exchanges through the Expo 2020 Dubai and highlight the characteristics and charm of Hainan and enhance Hainan’s reputation.

The celebrations were held between Dec.22 to Dec.24th, 2021 in a way of integrating ‘Global Live + Offline’ was hosted by the People’s Government of Hainan Province, whose main venue was located in Haikou.

Ni Qiang, Vice governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province and director of executive office of the CPC Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) Working Committee, and Ali Obaid Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to China attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Juma Mohammed Al Kait, assistant undersecretary for foreign trade affairs in the UAE Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) delivered speeches for the opening ceremony via videos.

And it was held by Li Zhijie who is the chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Sub-council (CCPIT Hainan Sub-council).

Vice governor of the People’s Government of Hainan Province and director of executive office of the CPC Hainan FTP Working Committee, Ni Qiang, said that the theme of the Hainan Week of the China Pavilion echoes with Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme. New achievements of the Hainan Free Trade Port will be fully demonstrated through several events taking in forms such as video displays, cultural performances, as well as forums and talks.”

“We hope that all parties can seize the opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. We sincerely welcome investors and talents from the UAE and all over the world to invest and start businesses in Hainan, share new opportunities in the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port, and enjoy the great achievements of China’s reform and opening up in the new era.

Ali Obaid Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to China, said that the UAE and China have established a comprehensive strategic partnership. People-to-people and cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation are at the core of exchanges between the two countries. The Expo will bring business opportunities not only to the UAE, but also to the Chinese enterprises across the UAE.

At the same time, participants “toured the Pavilion virtually” and watched the China Pavilion guiding video and Hainan FTP promotional video together, experiencing the charm of the World Expo and the growth of the Hainan FTP via the cloud.

With rich content, outstanding themes, and fruitful results, the Hainan Week held series activities such as the opening ceremony, International Free Trade Port, Cloud Seminar, Hainan International Tourism Forum, ‘Haikou Day’ and ‘Sanya Day’ etc.

The event was broadcast live globally on Hainan Internet Radio and TV Station, Audiovisual Hainan, Hainan Broadcasting Station WeChat Video Channel, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other platforms. The total number of viewers home and abroad reached more than one million, fully demonstrating the new image of Hainan to the world.

At the Hainan Free Trade Port Promotion Conference held after the opening ceremony, Li Yufei, deputy director of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee (Free Trade Port Working Committee Office), and the representatives from Hainan FTP Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Wenchang International Space City Administration, and Hainan Ecological Software Park respectively spoke on the spot, introducing policies and promoting investment in the industrial park.

Here we wanted to introduce the fruitful results of the activities. International Free Trade Port Cloud Forum—the online seminar, invited experts from Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and other advanced free trade ports to share methods with Hainan experts to build a higher degree of openness in Hainan Free Trade Port. After the forum, we will delivered a good report with experts’ suggestion to relevant department.

Canada Sunway International Co., Ltd. and Hainan White Horse Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd., Beijing Ziyue Cultural Tourism Sports Development Co., Ltd. and Haiye Group, Zhejiang Hainan Alumni Association and Beijing Relaisen Exhibition Services and others signed a cooperation agreement at the Hainan International Tourism Consumption centre Forum. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hainan promoted two key projects, the “Global Consumer Boutique Expo Park” and the “China International Consumer Goods Expo” to the world.

Earlier on Dec.15, 2021, the “Sichuan Day” of the China Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai was officially inaugurated.

Sponsored by the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government of China, the event was successfully held simultaneously in Dubai, UAE, and Chengdu of Sichuan, China, both online and offline.

The opening ceremony was attended and addressed by Zhang Shenfeng, Commissioner General of China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and Vice Chairman of CCPIT, Li Yunze, Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to China, Li Xuhang, Consul General of China in Dubai, Hamad Buamim, Chairman of World Chambers Federation and President of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI).

Officials from the Consulate General of Nepal, Republic of Korea and other countries in Sichuan, representatives of foreign business associations in China, heads of relevant government departments and business associations of the UAE, representatives of Sichuan and UAE enterprises and media all participated in this event, in Chengdu and Dubai.

At the opening ceremony, an unveiling of the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce Representative Office in the UAE was held, along with the signing ceremony of 3 Cooperation Agreements between the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce Middle East Market Professional Committee and Overseas Chinese Association in the UAE, Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Representative Office in China, Huaheng Xintian Chengdu Industrial and UAE Bumur Commodities Co., Ltd.

Furthermore, several side events such as city promotions for Chengdu and Meishan in Sichuan Province, Sichuan special cultural shows, live connection to China Conservation and Research centre for Giant Pandas, Sanxingdui Museum and other famous sites were held, which were all aimed at showing an open, inclusive, cooperative and innovative Sichuan from multiple perspectives.

Other relevant events including Sichuan-Chongqing Competitive Industries Exhibition, Sichuan Culture and Tourism Week, and “Children’s Yearning for Expo” Painting Exhibition was held at the same time.

Through the assistance of technology, culture, economic and trade, with the Expo platform to display the image of Sichuan, this event tells the success story of Sichuan, highlight the charm of Sichuan, and create a card of the city, vividly showing the real, stereoscopic and comprehensive Sichuan to the world.