2004 China International Fair for Investment and Trade

The 2004 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province from September 8^th to 12^th, The American Chamber of Commerce participated in the Fair with a delegation of 25 members representing 21 US companies. During the Fair the delegation met with many important leaders from China including Madam Wu Yi, Vice Premier of China; Mr. Bo Xilai, Minister of Commerce of China; Mr. Zhang Zhigang, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce of China; Mr. Zhang Guobao, Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission of China; Mr. Jin Xu, Deputy Dirctor General of Department of American & Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of China; Mr. Wang Yongqing, Vice Minister, The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council of China; Mr. Zhao Zhiyong, Vice Governor of Jiangxi; Mr. Zhang Wenxue, Vice Governor of Guangxi; Mr. Huang Xiaojing, Standing Vice Governor of Fujian Province; Mr. Wang Meixiang, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Ms. Wen Haiying, Vice Governor of Anhui Province; Mr. Wu Jianong, Vice Mayor of Chongqing; Mr. Pei Xian Ding, Senior Judge, Supreme People’s Court of China; Mr. Fernando Canales Clariond, Minister of Economy of Mexico; Mr. Henry Levine, Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Asia and Pacific, USA; and Mr. Grant Aldonas, Undersecretary of Commerce of the United States.

 The most important events at CIFIT were the 2004 International Investment Forum headed by Mr. Bo Xilai, Minister of Commerce of China. Mr. Bo who addressed the audience in both Mandarin Chinese and English spoke of ever expanding trade relationship between China and other countries around the world. He encouraged the audience to continue to invest in China and promised a wide open door in all areas of trade and investment.

 Madam Wu Yi, Vice Premier of China, addressed the participants at a special luncheon, thanking business leaders for their partnership and trade with China. She predicted that during the first two decades of this century, China’s GDP will top USD 4 trillion and annual imports to reach USD 1 trillion in value by 2020, “thus making China the World’s second largest market by then”.

 On September 9^th, US Undersecretary of Commerce, Grant Aldonas and other US government leaders participated in the “Symposium on Enforcement of IPR Laws”. The Symposium was also attended by Mr. Zhang Zhigang, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr. Pei Xian Ding Senior Judge, Supreme People’s Court of China, and other Chinese national leaders.

 While the Chinese side made presentations on China’s Commitment to enforcement of IPR laws, Undersecretary Aldonas talked of the importance of IPR protection and its role in the proper development of a healthy economy. Mr. Aldonas urged continuous and diligent cooperation on IPR enforcement issues between China and US.