Summary
The 4th China International Supply Chain Expo opened in Beijing on 22 June 2026, with Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attending and delivering a keynote speech. Ding highlighted the increasing risk of fragmentation in global industrial and supply chains, and stated that China, as a responsible major country, effectively leverages its complete industrial system and super-large market to firmly maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains. He put forward four suggestions: strengthen mutual trust to prevent politicisation of economic and trade issues; strengthen trade facilitation to uphold the multilateral trading system; strengthen integrated development to deeply integrate innovation chains with industrial and supply chains; and strengthen resource sharing to maintain the openness and connectivity of global energy markets.
South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile and heads of organisations including the International Chamber of Commerce attended the opening. Ding then declared the expo open and exchanged views with business leaders during a tour of the exhibition. The expo focuses on supply chain cooperation, aiming to promote stability and win-win outcomes in global industrial chains.
Commentary
For small and medium-sized enterprise owners, Ding Xuexiang's speech signals a positive stance: China explicitly opposes supply chain fragmentation and protectionism, and advocates multilateral trade and open cooperation. This suggests New Zealand exporters may face a more stable market access environment, especially for supply chain links related to food and dairy products. Among the four suggestions, 'strengthen trade facilitation' and 'oppose protectionism under the guise of green and low-carbon' are noteworthy – if China reduces non-tariff barriers, inspection and quarantine procedures for New Zealand honey, lamb and other products exported to China could be simplified.
Additionally, 'integrated development' emphasises the combination of innovation chains and supply chains, implying that technology-based SMEs (e.g., agritech, digital logistics) could explore collaboration opportunities with Chinese enterprises. However, the actual effect of these suggestions requires further observation; businesses should closely monitor subsequent specific policies, such as whether tariffs on critical minerals will be lowered or trade procedures for energy products streamlined. In conclusion: New Zealand SMEs could consider leveraging the expo platform to connect with Chinese buyers or join their supply chain networks to diversify market risks.
Keywords: Ding Xuexiang, supply chain, chain expo, China, multilateralism, trade facilitation, global industrial chain, open cooperation
Summary in Chinese | 摘要
2026年6月22日，第四届中国国际供应链促进博览会在北京开幕，中共中央政治局常委、国务院副总理丁薛祥出席并作主旨讲话。丁薛祥表示，当前全球产业链供应链碎片化风险增加，中国作为负责任大国，有效发挥完整产业体系和超大规模市场优势，坚定维护全球产业链供应链稳定畅通。他提出四点建议：加强相互信任，防止经贸问题政治化；加强贸易畅通，维护多边贸易体制；加强融合发展，推动创新链与产供链深度融合；加强资源共享，维护全球能源市场开放联通。
南非副总统马沙蒂莱及国际商会等机构负责人出席开幕式。丁薛祥随后宣布博览会开幕，并在巡馆时与企业负责人交流。本届链博会聚焦供应链合作，旨在促进全球产业链稳定与共赢。
Commentary in Chinese | 评论
对中小企业主而言，丁薛祥的讲话释放了积极信号：中国明确反对供应链碎片化和保护主义，倡导多边贸易与开放合作。这意味着新西兰出口企业可能面临更稳定的市场准入环境，尤其是与食品、乳制品等相关的供应链环节。四点建议中，“加强贸易畅通”和“反对以绿色低碳为名行保护主义之实”值得关注——若中国减少非关税壁垒，新西兰蜂蜜、羊肉等产品对华出口的检验检疫流程或能简化。
此外，“融合发展”强调创新链与供应链结合，暗示科技型中小企业（如农业科技、数字化物流）可探索与中国企业的合作机会。不过，建议的实际落地效果需进一步观察，企业应密切跟踪后续具体政策，如是否会降低关键矿产的关税或简化能源产品贸易流程。结语：新西兰中小企业可考虑利用链博会平台，对接中国采购商或加入其供应链网络，以分散市场风险。
关键词: 丁薛祥, 供应链, 链博会, 中国, 多边主义, 贸易畅通, 全球产业链, 开放合作