Summary
On 25 June 2026, the 9th China-Eurasia Expo opened in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, delivered a speech proposing four points: deepening strategic development alignment, expanding high-level opening up, building efficient and interconnected networks, and fostering new growth drivers. Deputy Prime Ministers Zhumangalin of Kazakhstan and Akunbekov of Kyrgyzstan, and Deputy Speaker Mustafa of the National Assembly of Pakistan attended and addressed the opening.
Before the opening, Ding toured the exhibition hall and exchanged views with exhibitors. From 24 to 25 June, Ding met with the three foreign dignitaries separately to discuss political trust and practical cooperation. The foreign side spoke highly of China's role and expressed willingness to deepen Belt and Road cooperation.
Specific cooperation plans are yet to be finalised.
Commentary
The core issue of the China-Eurasia Expo is deepening economic cooperation across the Eurasian continent, with particular focus on infrastructure connectivity and reducing trade barriers. For New Zealand small business owners, this sends a positive signal: China continues to push for institutional opening with Eurasian nations, which may indirectly drive NZ-China third-market collaboration (e.g., dairy or meat supply chain demand in Central Asian infrastructure projects). Additionally, initiatives to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, if extended to the NZ-China FTA upgrade negotiations, could create better conditions for NZ exporters.
However, the current focus is on Eurasia, so the short-term direct trade impact on NZ is limited. It is recommended to monitor whether expansion of rail cold-chain transport on the China-Europe (Central Asia) corridor reduces logistics costs, and whether cooperation between China and Central Asian countries spawns new consumer markets.
Keywords: Ding Xuexiang, 9th China-Eurasia Expo, Urumqi Xinjiang, Belt and Road, deepening cooperation, open economy, infrastructure connectivity, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan
Summary in Chinese | 摘要
2026年6月25日，第九届中国—亚欧博览会在新疆乌鲁木齐开幕，中共中央政治局常委、国务院副总理丁薛祥出席并致辞。丁薛祥提出四点建议：深化发展战略对接、扩大高水平开放、构筑多元高效联通网络、培育壮大发展新动能。哈萨克斯坦副总理茹曼加林、吉尔吉斯斯坦副总理阿昆别科夫、巴基斯坦国民议会副议长穆斯塔法出席并致辞。
开幕式前，丁薛祥巡馆并与参展单位交流。24日至25日，丁薛祥分别会见三位外方政要，就政治互信、务实合作等交换意见。外方高度评价中国作用，希望深化共建‘一带一路’合作。
具体合作方案待进一步落实。
Commentary in Chinese | 评论
对中国—亚欧博览会的核心议题是深化亚欧大陆的经济合作，尤其聚焦基础设施互联互通和贸易壁垒削减。对新西兰中小企业主而言，这释放了积极信号：中国正持续推动与亚欧国家的制度型开放，可能间接带动中新在第三方市场合作（如中亚基础设施建设中的乳制品或肉类供应链需求）。此外，降低关税与非关税壁垒的倡议，若蔓延至中新自贸协定升级谈判，可能为新西兰出口商创造更优条件。
不过，当前焦点在亚欧，短期对新西兰直接贸易影响有限。建议关注后续中欧（中亚）班列冷链运输拓展是否降低物流成本，以及中国与中亚国家合作是否催生新的消费市场。
关键词: 丁薛祥, 第九届中国-亚欧博览会, 新疆乌鲁木齐, 一带一路, 深化合作, 开放型经济, 基础设施联通, 哈萨克斯坦, 吉尔吉斯斯坦, 巴基斯坦