From July 24 to August 1, Wang Jinzhen, Vice President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Member of the Organization Committee of 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition and Chief Representative of the Chinese Government, led a delegation to Australia, Fiji and New Zealand for issuing invitations for the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition. The delegation consisted of members of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, China Flower Association and relevant units of Beijing City. During the visit, Vice President Wang Jinzhen led the delegation to visit the Secretariat of Pacific Islands Forum and institutions of foreign affairs, economy and trade, agriculture and horticulture of the three countries, conduction thorough exchanges on inviting South Pacific countries and international organizations including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Forum, etc. to participate in the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition.
Vice President Wang Jinzhen led the delegation to successively visit institutions including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture of Australia, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, the Horticulture Innovation Institution of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australia China Business Council, the Secretariat of Pacific Islands Forum, the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand and the Business Group of New Zealand, among others. He gave a thorough introduction to the “Belt and Road” Initiative of China and preparation progress of the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition, and actively invited countries and international organizations including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands Forum, etc., to participate in the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition.
Pacific Islands Forum and relevant institutions of the three countries paid high attention to participation in the Beijing International Horticultural Exposition. Australian Trade and Investment Commission was looking forward to the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition held by China, and said that the Australian Federal Government had asked a number of departments like the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, among others, to work together for actively considering relevant matters concerning participation in the Beijing International Horticultural Exposition. Australia China Business Council and Australian Industry Group said that they were willing to work closely with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade for promoting its member enterprises to actively participate in the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition and promoting technological cooperation, economic and trade development and cultural exchange in horticulture industry between China and Australia.
The Secretariat of Pacific Islands Forum appreciated the offer of the Chinese Government to financially aid Pacific Islands Forum and its member countries to participate in the expo. They added they would initiate expo-related work as soon as possible, keep close contact with China, thus actively promoting South Pacific countries to jointly participate in the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition.
Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry said they would work with the Fiji Government to confirm their participation in the expo as soon as possible, and help Fiji play a central role among South Pacific countries to promote countries within the region to actively participate in the expo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand said they would stay in contact with China concerning expo-related work of New Zealand. Business Group of New Zealand said that they would actively promote enterprises to participate in the expo.
On July 28, the delegation held a promotion conference for issuing expo invitations of the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition. Vice President Wang Jinzhen gave a detailed introduction to the preparation situation of the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exposition. He also said that China had been paying high attention to cooperation with South Pacific islands. This International Horticultural Exposition would offer important development opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between both parties in horticulture and economy and trade. He was looking forward to active participation of South Pacific countries. Zhang Ping, China’s Ambassador to Fiji, spoke highly of economic and trade relations between China and Fiji, hoping that all countries would attach importance to their participation in the expo. Director of Department of Exposition Invitation of World Horticultural Exposition Coordination Bureau Jiao Yutong, among others, further introduced the policy and scheme of international expo invitations. Participants responded positively.
