On the morning of May 25, the opening ceremony of the 20th Western China International Fair (WCIF), themed "Deepen Reform for More Momentum, Expand Openness for Greater Growth", was held in Chengdu.

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 20th WCIF.

Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, read out the congratulatory letter, delivered a keynote speech, and declared the event open. Guests from guest countries of honor, Laos and Hungary, namely, Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, Member of the Political Bureau of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of Lao s, and Márta Mátrai, Deputy of the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly (HNA) and Chair of the Hungary-China Friendship Group of HN A, as well as Johnny Koanapo Rasou, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management of Vanuat u, delivered speeches.

Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, delivered a welcome speech. Qi Yu, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affair s; Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to China; Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan; Arman Shakkaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan; Luo Dongchuan, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Qinghai Province (guest province of honor); and Li Yanyi, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province (guest province of honor), delivered speeches respectively. Shi Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province, presided over the opening ceremony. Tian Xiangli, Chairperson of the CPPCC Sichuan Provincial Committee, attended.

Peng Qinghua noted that President Xi Jinping has always cared deeply about the development of the western region and placed high hopes on the WCIF. In his congratulatory letter, Xi demonstrated China's firm resolve to work with friends from all countries to uphold the multilateral trading system and ensure stable, unimpeded global industrial and supply chains. Xi also stressed the historical law that unity fosters shared success and cooperation drives common progress. Amid the backdrop of current headwinds against globalization, these insights provide profound inspiration and carry important guiding significance.

Peng Qinghua stated that since the new era began, as China has opened its door even wider, the western region has transformed from the "rear guard" to the "vanguard" of opening up, and once a place of underdevelopment, it is now emerging as a land of prosperity. We will earnestly implement the guidelines outlined in President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter, promote the effective implementation of the policy measures aimed at fostering a new pattern in the large-scale development of the western region in the new era, support the western region in further deepening comprehensive reform, continuously strengthen carrier platforms, and build multi-faceted opening-up highlands. We will accelerate the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, build an array of important economic corridors oriented toward ASEAN, Central Asia and Europe, and forge an all-round opening-up paradigm that connects China and the world through land and sea as well as the eastern and western regions of the nation. We are committed to deepening the integration of technological and industrial innovation, accelerating the development of the Western China Science and Technology Innovation Center, and developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions. We are dedicated to upholding the market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized principles, creating a first-class business environment, and cultivating an open and inclusive investment ecosystem. We are willing to take the fair as an opportunity to further enhance understanding, strengthen friendship, and deepen cooperation with friends from all countries. The fair will provide an effective platform for countries around the world to share the development opportunities in China's western region, thereby injecting new impetus into the prosperity and development of the world economy.

Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune extended congratulations on the opening of the 20th WCIF. He stated that it is a great honor to participate in the WCIF as the guest country of honor and to visit Chengdu, the beautiful and prosperous capital of Sichuan Province. The WCIF this year is themed "Deepen Reform for More Momentum, Expand Openness for Greater Growth", which is highly aligned with the current vision for global economic development and multilateral cooperation. The WCIF has become an important platform for promoting development in the western region of China and facilitating foreign exchanges and cooperation. Governments and enterprises from various countries and regions gather here to advance trade cooperation, explore investment opportunities, enhance mutual trust, and collaboratively create a sustainable and promising future. Laos and China are ever-lasting friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Under the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation framework, the two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation across various fields, including economic and trade exchanges, transportation connectivity, and cultural tourism. We hope to leverage the WCIF to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with various regions and countries, including China, and jointly create a prosperous and bright future.

Noting that the relations between Hungary and China have a long history, Márta Mátrai said that Hungary is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first EU country to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Hungary has always upheld the "Eastern Opening" policy , firmly supported high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and steadfastly believed that dialogue between different cultures can significantly enhance Europe's understanding of China while enabling China to better understand Hungary. In the pavilion of Hungary at the 20th WCIF, visitors can learn about Hungary's numerous innovative achievements in fields such as semiconductors, new energy vehicles, healthcare, electronic information, pollution prevention and control, and agricultural development. The Hungarian-Chinese Technology Transfer Center , which is dedicated to promoting technological exchange and cooperation between the two countries, will also participate as an exhibitor in Hungary's pavilion. It is believed that the good relations and deep collaboration between Hungary and China can set an example for countries around the world, and the two countries can create a more peaceful and beautiful future based on mutual respect.

Johnny Koanapo Rasou stated that this year commemorates the momentous 20th edition of the WCIF, which has become an important platform for exchanges and interactions between China and the world in areas such as economy, trade and culture. Since its inception, the WCIF has played a significant role in promoting market openness, stimulating innovative vitality, and achieving sustainable development. Many countries and regions have leveraged the WCIF to establish partnerships with the dynamic western region of China, working together to create investment opportunities, drive technological advancement, and achieve common prosperity. Vanuatu attaches great importance to the long-standing traditional friendship with China. In particular, the series of global initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, are highly consistent with Vanuatu's vision for openness, inclusiveness and sustainable development. Through the WCIF, we hope to invite China and other trading partners to visit the beautiful island nation of Vanuatu, with a view to expanding exchanges and cooperation in trade, tourism and other fields and achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

In his welcome speech, Wang Xiaohui, on behalf of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Sichuan Province, extended a welcome to all guests attending the WCIF and conveyed appreciation to friends at home and abroad who have long cared for and supported the development of Sichuan. He said that the WCIF, as an important window for China's opening up, has become a crucial bridge and bond for the world to understand China's western region and for the region to engage with the world. President Xi Jinping specially sent a congratulatory letter for this year's WCIF, expressing keen expectations for taking the fair as an opportunity to deepen cooperation with friends from all countries and work together to uphold the multilateral trading system and ensure stable, unimpeded global industrial and supply chains. This fully reflects President Xi Jinping's and the Chinese government's profound concern for the development of the western region and their care and support for the work of Sichuan. In recent years, we have earnestly implemented President Xi Jinping's important instructions, steadily advanced the deep and practical execution of national strategies, thoroughly implemented the development strategy of "synchronized development of new industrialization, information technology application, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, urban-rural integration, and common prosperity of five zones", and made solid progress in Sichuan's modernization drive on the new journey in the new era, thereby providing a broad stage for friends from home and abroad to develop in Sichuan. We sincerely invite all to actively explore the vast markets in the western region, deeply participate in the construction of a modernized industrial system, jointly advance infrastructure connectivity, and work together to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes through openness and cooperation. We will wholeheartedly deliver comprehensive services and support to ensure that all can pursue investments free from undue concern and have a comfortable living experience in Sichuan.

Before the opening ceremony, Peng Qinghua, Qi Yu, Wang Xiaohui and Shi Xiaolin, among others, toured some exhibition areas of the Regional Cooperation Pavilion and International Cooperation Pavilion at this year's WCIF. On the afternoon of May 24, Peng Qinghua met with foreign dignitaries who came to attend the fair.

Also present at the opening ceremony were foreign government delegations, representatives of foreign diplomatic envoys in China, leading officials in charge of relevant central Party and government departments, relevant leaders from Sichuan Province, relevant leading officials from provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, representatives from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions, heads of pertinent international organizations and international business associations, executives from Fortune Global 500 companies and well-known multinational corporations, as well as representatives from some centrally administered state-owned enterprises, relevant domestic business associations and private enterprises, among others.