The 4th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo, taking place from June 27 to 29 in Linyi, Shandong, is a spectacular event for international buyers and visitors, once again putting Linyi in the global spotlight.

This is the fourth time that Linyi, a major city involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has hosted the RCEP import expo, which serves as a key platform for trade cooperation and cultural exchanges among BRI countries.

In 2024, Linyi's import and export volume to the RCEP region reached 78.65 billion yuan ($10.96 billion), representing a 9.7 percent year-over-year increase. The first three editions of the expo attracted 56 cities from RCEP countries, with Linyi's trade volume with ASEAN growing at an average annual rate of 23 percent.

Visitors and buyers from around the globe gather at the 4th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo in Linyi. [Photo by Yin Zhaogong/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This 4th edition, themed "Digital Currents, Global Connections", has attracted 348 exhibitors, as well as international guests, experts, and scholars from 66 countries and regions, fostering future cooperation and development.

The expo is like an accelerator that connects us with seamless supply chains, widens preferential export channels, and reduces trade barriers in key areas, according to Lee Chuan How, member of parliament of Malaysia.

This year's expo has, for the first time, established zones for smart technology and multinationals. Eighteen tech enterprises, including Tesla, and 11 Global Fortune 500 enterprises, such as CP Group and Amazon, are participating in the expo to showcase their cutting-edge, innovative products.

The expo's foreign trade section also integrates eight major markets and 22 foreign trade and export enterprises from Linyi, reinforcing the city's title as "Logistics Capital of China" and promoting local products worldwide.

"Linyi is China's 'Capital City of Logistics' and its e-commerce service industry is really good," said Kim Sang-woo, head of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

"Linyi and Salisbury in Australia are sister cities, so I feel like I am at home here in this vibrant city," said Ivan Kaukov, president of the Australian Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He further expressed his eagerness to seek cooperation with Linyi enterprises.