Ever wonder how regions come together to build a shared future? The recent Changchun Expo brought together thousands of innovators and business leaders, showcasing everything from drone tech to custom sock machines! It’s a real hub for boosting trade and collaboration. What groundbreaking ideas do you think will emerge next?
The 15th China-Northeast Asia Expo recently opened its doors in Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province, marking a pivotal moment for regional cooperation and Northeast Asia Trade. Inaugurated on August 27, 2023, this significant event provides a crucial platform for fostering cross-border commerce and strengthening economic ties in a region strategically positioned with extensive borders and rich natural resources. The expo underscores a commitment to advancing shared prosperity and mutual development.
Drawing over 10,000 business leaders and practitioners from more than 40 countries and regions, the Changchun Expo truly exemplified its theme: “Join Hands with Northeast Asia, Open Up for a Win-Win Future.” This surge in international participation highlighted the region’s strong desire for future global partnerships, with exhibitors showcasing their offerings across an impressive 73,000 square meters of exhibition space. The diversity of attendees and displays reflected a broad spectrum of economic interests.
Visitors encountered a fascinating array of products, from Russian chocolates and traditional Mongolian hats to exquisite Pakistani vases and Thai balms, each item serving as a testament to the burgeoning cross-border commerce. This vibrant display of goods from various nations demonstrated a palpable eagerness among participants to forge new business relationships, transcending geographical boundaries and cultivating deeper global partnerships. The atmosphere was distinctly charged with collaborative enthusiasm, signaling a strong intent for collective growth.
Crucial for growth in key industries, the expo facilitated interactions across vital sectors such as new energy, food processing, automotive parts production, and biomedicine. Organized jointly by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Jilin Provincial Government, the event was meticulously designed to serve as a world market for innovation and collaboration. Business leaders, like FlightHub CEO Chelhot, expressed optimism, recognizing the expo’s power to foster relationships, build trust, and establish both long-term and short-term alliances that drive globalization.
A highlight of this year’s exhibition was the intriguing integration of modern technological innovation with traditional manufacturing. One notable example was a customized sock knitting machine that produced socks based on 3D foot scans, introducing a revolutionary approach to textile production that captivated visitors. Businesspeople were keen to explore and test the device’s on-site tailoring capabilities, hinting at future advancements in personalized manufacturing.
Further showcasing the globalization of traditional medicine, the Xiuzheng Pharmaceuticals Xiongdan Kaiming Tablet, a Chinese medicine for eye conditions, garnered significant attention. An exhibitor from South Korea expressed strong interest in introducing this tablet to the Korean market, illustrating the expanding reach of traditional remedies. Moreover, advanced drone technology developed in Tonghua city, Jilin Province, sparked considerable interest, particularly fire-extinguishing drones, which an Indonesian participant viewed as invaluable for emergency support in fire-prone rural areas. This demonstrates how technology can address pressing regional challenges, contributing significantly to Economic Development China is prioritizing.
The expo’s focus on drone technology and biomedicine clearly reflects the rapid growth of the digital economy and advanced manufacturing, sectors that are dynamically expanding not only in China but globally. Building on past successes, the China-Northeast Asia Expo has already catalyzed over three thousand signed cooperation projects in previous years. These significant partnerships span diverse sectors, including modern services and green infrastructure, representing an astonishing 2.05 trillion yuan, or approximately 288.48 billion dollars, in investment.
These robust trade relations are mirrored in official figures; South Korea reported that trade with South Korea, Japan, Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea reached 901.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. This includes a 1.6 percent increase in trade with China’s partners South Korea and Japan over the past year, with these countries collectively accounting for nearly 15 percent of China’s foreign trade, underscoring the region’s immense significance in the global commerce landscape. China’s proactive measures to enhance continental commerce are further evident in its 14th five-year plan, which has added or expanded 40 entry points, increasing the total number of ports to 311, all aimed at streamlining cross-border transactions and boosting efficiency.
In a tangible step towards greater regional integration, an inspection building currently under construction in Hunchun city, at the vital intersection with Russia and North Korea, represents an investment of 150 million Yuan. Projected to serve two million passengers and two million tons of cargo annually, this infrastructure development promises to significantly enhance regional connectivity. The 15th China-Northeast Asia Expo stands as a remarkable testament to the power of open cooperation, both regionally and globally, demonstrating how such initiatives can effectively drive shared growth and sustainable development across Northeast Asia, solidifying its role as a global hub of commerce and collaboration.
