Yunnan companies, heritages make a hit at CIIE

Promotion serves as bridge for companies

During the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), Yunnan province held the key-industry investment cooperation and global procurement promotion at the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai on November 6. 

“At present, Yunnan's clean energy sector is growing, the green food industry is presenting a new pattern, and the province’s effort to be a destination of healthy lifestyle attracts attention from worldwide,” said Du Yong, director of the Yunnan Bureau for Investment Promotion.

On the first two days of this expo, quite a few projects and agreements were signed between Yunnan companies and their counterparts from home and abroad. "The event allowed us to have a fuller understanding to Yunnan," said the business partners, adding that they were impressed by the sound business environment in Yunnan. 

At the end of August, the Yunnan pilot free trade zone (FTZ) was established, making a hit among the exhibitors at this year's expo. Zhao Ruijun, director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce, gave a detailed explanation of the favorable policies of the pilot FTZ.

Volunteers for the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) from Yunnan Minzu University pose for photos in Shanghai.

Taking advantage of the pilot FTZ's favorable policies on cross-border e-commerce, the Ruili-based E-Commerce Company for Trade Promotion has launched e-commerce service in Myanmar, winning increasing fame in the Myanmar market.

“The expo is essential for our future growth for we can access the industrial infromation we need. The CIIE is conducive to import and export, while promoting cooperation with more countries,” said Wang Guangfu, chairman the Ruili company.

That day, Yunnan hospitals also reached cooperative agreements with other CIIE exhibitors, and the Varian Medical Systems is one of the companies that have signed cooperation with Yunnan Cancer Hospital.

“Under the Belt and Road cooperation, the medical sector in Yunnan has a great potential to tap for the province is adjacent to the South and Southeast Asian market,” said Cao Shan, business representative of the US-based company. 

Echoing Cao's point of view, Huang Yunchao, director of Yunnan Cancer Hospital, said the expo is a good platform for information sharing, via which Yunnan hospitals and their international counterparts can exchange and learn from each other. 

Yunnan heritages shine at CIIE 

When the joyful music and jubilant dances were staged by actors from Yunnan, visitors at the 2nd CIIE audiences also jointed the cultural show. During the Shanghai expo, Yunnan intangible heritages were fully displayed, including the Go-pieces, traditional copper handicrafts, Yi ethnic embroidery, and Naxi pictographic characters.

-- What does this piece mean?

-- It means everything goes well.
-- How about that one?
-- It signals full happiness.
…

In the Yunnan exhibition area, the inheritor Dongba hieroglyphics He Zhengwen was talking with business representatives. He said that bringing the Dongba culture to the expo is to show the world Yunnan's unique ethnic culture. "I feel honored to be part of the expo."

Bai Xiaobai, an embroiderer from south Yunnan’s Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, wore traditional Yi costumes handmade by herself. The Yi costumes were bright, delicate, and admired by many at the expo.

It has been 50 plus years since Bai began knitting in her teenage days, and her wish is to make the Yi embroidery known to more people. Another embroiderer Li Xiaofen said a cooperative has been established in her villages to buy embroidery pieces. A well-made cap is sold at around 1,700 yuan.

In addition to cultural identity, the exhibited Yunnan heritages are also a mixture of antiquity and modernity.

On the booth showing the Yongzi go-pieces from southwest Yunnan’s Baoshan City, new necklaces and rings were also seen. Li Qing, head the Yongzi company, said that the new products aim to display the diversity and modernity of Yongzi culture. "We hope to use the expo to brand the Yongzi culture in the international market.

The 23-year-old girl Yang Yuyan presented the tie-dye craft from central Yunnan’s Anning City, inviting expo visitors to experience the tie-dye. On behalf of the Anning Qianqu cultural and creative center, she and her father brought many tie-dyed works to the expo.

"This tie-dyed cloth is called ‘spring waters at flower capital’, and it is a record of the Dianchi Lake, Yunnan flowers, and high-speed rails in the province." Yang said their cloth pieces aim to show new development of Yunnan tie-dye crafts.

By participating in the expo, I hope to be inspired and more creative. "I really like the tie-dyeing craft, which was passed down to me from my grandma and my father. I will try to inherit it well."

Reporter Han Chengyuan, Liu Ziyu, Li Shaoming and Li Hengqiang;
trans-editing by Wang Shixue