?

ANOTHER STEP IN FUZHOU'S OPENING-UP

The 18th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade （CFET） opened in late May in Fuzhou， capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. In recent years， the fair has become an increasingly influential event for promoting the flow of investment between China's mainland and Taiwan.

Nestled on the western coast of the Taiwan Straits， Fuzhou plays a vital role in the Chinese economy. Major CFET events that have been held in the city include the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Exposition， the Asia Cooperation Dialogue （ACD） Forum on Belt and Road Cooperation and Asia Business Conference， the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Mayor Summit Forum， and this year's Cities Forum of United Nations Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance and ACD Business Conference and Young Entrepreneur Innovation Summit.

This year's CFET featured dozens of promotion activities organized in groups - a contrast to previous years when promotional events were held separately. Obviously， with its influence increasing year by year， the fair

has done much to promote the opening up of Fuzhou and Fujian Province as a whole.

The CFET also represents a chance for overseas cities and businesses to promote themselves in the Chinese market. At this year's fair， representatives from Thailand took on a particularly strong role in business promotion by setting up a Thailand Pavilion， which served as a venue to promote Thai brands. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion of Thailand （OSMEP） has also set up a permanent goods display center in Fuzhou as the first step in its push into the Chinese market.

Cambodia， too， stands to benefit from the CFET， according to Cambodia's Siem Reap City governor So Platong.

“We have a strong interest in attracting Chinese investment while Chinese businesses are also exploring the Cambodian market，” So said.“The CFET provides a platform for both China and Cambodia to explore opportunities.”

On his first trip to China， So said he had a good impression of Fuzhou's development as well as its people.

On May 18， the Inaugural Cities Forum of United Nations Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance took place in Fuzhou， attracting more than 500 officials， entrepreneurs， and experts hailing from UN agencies and 35 cities around the world to discuss plans for further cooperation.

The CFET will continue to play a contributive role in Fuzhou's efforts to open its doors wider to the outside world.

Fuzhou has become an important regional center of commerce