The 2nd Korea (Shandong) Import Commodities Fair Held in Weihai

From August 5 to 7, the 2nd Korea (Shandong) Import Commodities Fair (KSICF) was held at Weihai International Economic and Trade Exchange Center by Xiaoyao Lake, East Coastal New Town, Weihai, Shandong. The theme of this year's KSICF was "Stable Development for a Common Sustainable Future". The exhibition area was 35,000 square meters. There were more than 1,300 international standard booths, a size three times of the first one last year. It attracted exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions, and over 2,000 registered buyers.

Openness is the hallmark of today's China. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Republic of Korea, this event undoubtedly released a strong signal of wider opening-up of Weihai and Shandong, and injected a precious "warm spring current" into the world market. "We hope that by holding this event, we can present to the world the four distinctive city cards of Weihai, namely exquisiteness, openness, innovation and ocean, so as to better realize our development vision of building a conference and exhibition city in Northeast Asia and open a new chapter for Weihai and Shandong's internationalization," said a person in charge from Weihai City.

In order to satisfy guests from all over the world, Weihai brought its best with the greatest sincerity. There were 20 supporting events during this year's KSICF, including China-ROK (Weihai) Talent Exchange and Cooperation Conference and Online Job Fair for Students in Korea, Opening Ceremony of the 2^nd KSICF, China Linkshop Conference, China-ROK Cross-Border E-Commerce Conference (Weihai), the 5th Work Meeting of Weihai-Inchon Joint Committee of Local Economic Cooperation, Weihai Seafood & Beer Festival, China-ROK Service Trade Innovation and Development Conference (Weihai), Signing Ceremony for ROK - China (Weihai) - Mongolia Commodities Distribution Center Project, Sourcing Fair, Live-stream Sales, and China-ROK Carnival, creating a strong atmosphere for the society participating in the event.

Beside the sparkling Xiaoyao Lake and thousands of acres of black pine woods, the Pavilion for International Quality and Local Specialties, Pavilion for Korean Brands and Popular Images, Pavilion for Achievements of China-ROK Cooperation at Weihai International Economic and Trade Exchange Center were prepared. This venue was used for the first time, with total floor area of 330,000 square meters. It is an exhibition complex integrating business formats of the exhibition, convention, hotel and cultural creation, etc. The span of its 87.2-meter beam string structure is equivalent to the height of a 30-storey building, setting a new domestic record. The steel structure uses 49,000 tons of steel, which is more than the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium and equivalent to five Eiffel Towers. It has won the "China Steel Structure Gold Award".

Apart from the first use of Weihai International Economic and Trade Exchange Center, this year's KSICF featured another three firsts. It's the first event in Shandong to have a foreign consulate in China as a host unit, to have a "Guest City of Honor", and to show exhibitor information in the form of QR code. This event's organizing level was thusly enhanced to create a good soft environment for communications between the supply and demand sides.

Putting aside Weihai, this KSICF had a deeper meaning. By taking major chances like the Belt and Road Initiative, RCEP, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Republic of Korea, this KSCIF put focus on ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin, and Weihai's image as a "Dynamic City of Blue Economy, First Choice for Global Investment". New themed sections were exhibited, such as "The 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Ties Between China and the Republic of Korea", "The Belt and Road and Shanghai Cooperation Organization", "RCEP Regions", "China-ROK Innovation Incubation", "High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin", "Weihai 1001 Coastal Drive". KSCIF took the opportunity to sign strategic cooperation agreements with Hohhot and other cities in the Yellow River basin, which was not only about publicity and promotion, but also about forming a "community of interests" with all participants and forging a new path for inter-provincial cooperation to promote ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. This platform jointly built by Weihai Municipal People's Government, the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao brought greater opportunities to the world market.

Therefore, based on the "Dual Circulation", decision makers of Weihai were committed to making this KSICF into a new platform for domestic and international integration. Internationally, the event attracted more countries to participate, including Japan, Russia, Belarus, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Africa. Domestically, China Linkshop Conference was introduced, which was joined by high-level buyers such as Fresh Hema, Ito Yokado, Better Life Group and other famous FMCG chains, leading department stores and supermarkets, to further boost the purchasing power of buyers.

The event also created a one-stop experience, making it a "carnival for citizens". This year's KSICF had many special exhibition areas open to the public, such as the Animation Cosplay and E-sports exhibition area, golf experiencing area, food tasting area, traditional costume show and so on, coupled with various experiencing activities, to further enhance the participation of guests, exhibitors and buyers, make the city's function, economy and culture in line with international standards, striving to form more replicable "Weihai practice" of opening up.