China on the Global Chemical Industry Chain

"More International," "Higher Connectivity," "More Returning Exhibitors"

On July 20, the Third China International Supply Chain Expo (hereinafter referred to as "Chain Expo") concluded successfully. As a key platform for China to promote international cooperation in global industrial and supply chains, the Chain Expo has become an essential public good for maintaining the stability and smooth operation of global supply chains, fully demonstrating China's role as a major country in advancing an open world economy and building a community with a shared future for humanity. Compared with previous editions, this year’s Chain Expo achieved comprehensive upgrades: it was more international, better connected, and attracted more returning exhibitors. Notably, chemical enterprises from around the globe deepened industrial collaboration, strengthened resource linkages, and fostered a win-win situation through this platform—“cooperation drives industry growth; connectivity fuels business prosperity.”

"More International"—35% of exhibitors from abroad

After three years of careful development, the Chain Expo has seen continuous improvement in its internationalization level and significantly enhanced global influence. Data shows that the proportion of overseas exhibitors achieved a “triple jump”: rising from 26% at the first edition, to 32% at the second, and reaching 35% this year—an increase of nine percentage points. The quality of participating companies is equally impressive, with over 65% being Fortune Global 500 or leading industry enterprises. More notably, the number of countries and regions represented expanded from 55 at the inaugural event to 75 this year. Enterprises from developed economies such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan showed high enthusiasm for participation. Eight international organizations—including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UNCITRAL, and the World Intellectual Property Organization—took part, while 172 overseas delegations attended for discussions and negotiations, highlighting the Chain Expo’s strong appeal as a global platform for supply chain cooperation.

Global chemical companies also used the Chain Expo platform to showcase their innovative technologies and products. Wacker, attending for the first time, presented innovative applications of its silicone products in new-energy vehicles, covering critical components such as automotive chips and charging systems. Sumitomo Electric, exhibiting for the second consecutive year, displayed a range of high-end products serving the entire new-energy vehicle industry chain. Honeywell, participating for the third time, showcased energy management solutions including cutting-edge technologies in carbon capture and storage, sustainable aviation fuel, and plastic recycling. ExxonMobil, also returning for the third time, introduced its newly operational Huizhou petrochemical complex project and full-chain energy supply solutions.

Enterprises and institutions from Belt and Road partner countries actively participated. The Serbian Chamber of Commerce organized 13 companies to exhibit; major chambers of commerce and associations from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia led delegations to attend and visit. Institutions from developing countries such as Rwanda, Mozambique, and Honduras exhibited free of charge. Under the organization of the Xinjiang Council for the Promotion of International Trade, energy companies from four Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan—jointly exhibited. During the Chain Expo, Kyrgyz Green Renewable Energy Group signed cooperation intention agreements with Dongfang Electric Group International Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Luchongchong Charging Technology Co., Ltd., and Altay Gotion Solid-State Lithium Battery Co., Ltd.

"Higher Connectivity"—Chain Expo 3.0 widely recognized

The Chain Expo, as a global supply chain cooperation platform, is demonstrating a powerful magnetic effect, drawing in stakeholders across the industrial chain. Rather than focusing on short-term transaction volumes, the Chain Expo emphasizes long-term mutually beneficial cooperation, helping exhibitors and professional visitors “find friends, find partners, find solutions, and find application scenarios.”

At the Chain Expo, “chain-leading” enterprises co-exhibited with their “chain-affiliated” partners, jointly telling stories of supply chain collaboration. Apple participated alongside three suppliers—Sunwoda, Shandong Innovation, and JSD—to showcase the latest technologies in intelligent manufacturing and material recycling. Rio Tinto Group once again joined hands with Baowu Steel Group to demonstrate supply chain synergy. Dr. Roland Busch, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and Chairman, President & CEO of Siemens China, said: “We are delighted that Siemens has become the Chair Unit of the Advanced Manufacturing Chain Professional Committee at this year’s Chain Expo. Leveraging our role as a ‘chain leader’ and global resource advantages, we are using digital and low-carbon technologies to help Chinese enterprises upgrade their core advanced manufacturing capabilities and build green competitiveness for global markets, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable global supply chain.”

The Chain Expo 3.0 version has gained wide recognition, with an increasing number of Chinese and foreign enterprises deeply appreciating its unique value and exhibition philosophy.

Yin Zheng, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric and President of China & East Asia, attending the Chain Expo for the first time, stated that China is accelerating its transformation into a core hub for global supply chain innovation and sustainable development. Against the backdrop of ongoing adjustments in the global trade landscape, building an open, inclusive, stable, and efficient supply chain system has become a broad international consensus. China is Schneider Electric’s second-largest market globally, and the company will continue strengthening its “China Hub,” collaborating with ecosystem partners to advance digital and green upgrades in the supply chain.

In addition, the Chain Expo established a Sino-foreign Exhibitors Alliance during this edition, which will work closely with various industry committees of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade to serve Chinese and foreign enterprises and create a “Chain Expo without curtains.”

"More Returning Exhibitors"—Over 100 Companies Secure Early Entry

At the signing ceremony for the Fourth Chain Expo held on July 20, 102 Chinese and foreign enterprises and institutions—including Honeywell, Siemens, Corning Inc., and Sumitomo Electric—signed letters of intent to participate in the next edition. Participating companies generally noted that Chain Expo booths have been “hard to secure” since the first edition, and they hope to lock in their spaces early for the fourth edition, joining global “chain leaders,” industry leaders, specialized and innovative enterprises, and upstream and downstream partners to fully display achievements in collaborative innovation and integrated development across the industrial chain.

“The Chain Expo enables global businesses to form chains together, turning scattered sand into towering structures, finding upstream and downstream supply chain partners, and facilitating cooperation among Chinese and foreign enterprises at different stages of the industrial and supply chains,” said Yu Feng, President of Honeywell China, in an interview with reporters.

Su Fu, President of Syngenta Group China, pointed out: “The Chain Expo provides an efficient collaborative innovation platform for upstream and downstream partners in the industrial chain. Through the expo, we not only showcased innovations in sustainable agriculture but also reached deep consensus with numerous partners on ecological value and market pathways. Going forward, we will continue leveraging this open platform to collaborate with all sectors of the industry chain to drive high-quality, green development in agriculture.”