Sichuan Economy and Trade Trends

Monthly, December 2014

Published by CCPITSichuanCouncil

Contents

Macro Economy

Chengdu: theFirstCityin Central andWestern Chinawith Annual Inbound and Outbound Tourists Topped 3 Mln

On December 5^th, the inbound and outbound passenger volume viaChengduaviation port exceeded 3 mln for the first time and such number is expected to reach 3.2 mln person-time of the whole year.  Thus,Chengdunow has become the first city in central and westernChinawith annual inbound and outbound tourist volume of over 3 mln.

Since the opening of Chengdu aviation port to the outside world in 1981, the year 2010 has been marked as the first year of the aviation port with annual inbound and outbound tourist volume exceeding 1 mln person-time, and such number even reached 2 mln person-time last year for the first time, showing a skyrocketing growth. From 2010 to 2013, the annual mean growth rate of inbound and outbound tourist volume via Chengdu aviation port was 39%, with average annual increment by approximately 500,000 person-time.

So far,ChengduShuangliuInternationalAirporthas opened 78 air routes both internationally and regionally along side over 410 inbound and outbound flights at regular intervals. From the perspective of international and regional regular non-stop flight routes, the flight destinations have scattered all over Europe, Oceania, North America, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, covering 20 countries and regions in 4 continents with number of air routes and destination cities ranking the first in central and western China all the time. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 6^th)

Industrial Added Value above Designated Size Increased by 9.7% YoY in Previous 11 Months

On December 16^th, Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Statistics unveiled the main indicator data of provincial national economy of the previous 11 months, showing that the industrial added value above designated size increased by 9.7% yoy with increase rate dropped by 0.1% than that in previous 10 months. Specifically, the industrial added value in November increased by 8.7% yoy with increase rate dropped by 0.5% than that in October. Such trend is generally in compliance with the trend of national industrial economy.

38 of 41 industries had the added values rising, particularly automobile manufacturing industry increased by 13.4%, other electronic equipment manufacturing industries including computer and communication by 12.7%, petroleum refining, coking and nuclear fuel processing industries by 23.5%, and electric power, heating power production and supply industries by 15.4%.

In terms of fixed-asset investment, from January to November, the total investment in fixed assets reached RMB2.16775 trillion with yoy growth of 12.7%, among which the fixed-asset investment hit RMB2.05832 trillion (excluding peasant household investment), with yoy growth of 15.8%. From industrial perspective, the growth rate of tertiary industrial investment was the fastest one on yoy basis, increasing by19.6%.

As for consuming, from January to November, the total retail sales of consumer goods hit RMB1.04861 trillion with yoy growth of 12.7%. In terms of locations of settled business units, the growth rate of urban retail sales of consumer goods was 1.3% slower than the growth rate in rural area on yoy basis. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 17^th)

Investment in Technological Renovation Hit RMB451.6 Bln Provincially in Previous 11 Months

In previous 11 months, the accumulative total of completed investments in technological renovation throughout the province amounted to RMB451.6 bln with yoy growth of 6.2%.

By industry, the number of industries with declined investments in technological renovations was dropping and competitive industries were still the key fields for investment. In previous 11 months, among the 41 industries, 14 industries had a negative growth in investment instead of 17 industries in previous 10 months. The accumulative total of completed investments in technological renovations in competitive industries like equipment manufacturing, food & beverage, oil & gas and chemical engineering, vanadium-titanium steel and iron and rare earth, energy and electric power amounted to RMB307.1 bln, talking up 68% of aggregate investment in technological renovation throughout the province.

By cities and regions, there were 16 cities and regions keeping a positive growth in technological renovation investments. The investments in technological renovation of 5 cities (Luzhou, Ziyang, Meishan, Bazhong and Ya’an) maintained a relatively faster growth rate of over 10%, turning to be an important supporting pivot of technological renovation investment growth of the province. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 30^th)

Foreign Trade

Non-stop Flight fromChengdutoSri LankaNext February

In early February next year, the international non-stop flight from Chengdu to Colombo – the capital of Sri Lanka is about to open. The wide-body jet - Airbus A330 will be served as the flight with flight No. CA425/6 by Air China Southwest Branch Company. The flight will be available on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday each week and the one-way flight will take 5.5 hours in the air.

The opening of this international route marks the fourth non-stop flight operated by AirChinafromChengduto South Asian regions after the non-stop flights toKatmandu,BombayandBangalorefromChengdu. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 3^rd)

Shale Gas Development inSichuanFocused byKorea

On December 10^th, to push forward the cooperation in energy field between Sichuan and Korea, 2014 Korea-Sichuan Energy Forum co-organized by the Consulate-general of Korea in Chengdu, Sichuan Development and Reform Commission and Sichuan Energy Administration was held in Chengdu. Government officials, experts, representatives of international companies gathered together and held discussions on topics like current situation of energy, policies and investment cooperation, among which the topic of development and utilization of shale gas inSichuanand its great potential became the focus in the discussion session.

As a province with abundant of resources, especially the shale gas resource,Sichuanwill play a vital role in leading the revolution of shale gas in future. However, in view of lacking of sufficient knowledge in the resource endowment ofSichuan, the holding of the forum this time will be conducive to the understanding enhancement ofKoreaabout the current situation of energy and investment potential inSichuanandChina.

Sichuan, as a province with abundant of energy resources and mighty production and buying powers in China, has formed the energy supply system with integrated developments of hydropower, oil & gas, coal, new energy and renewable resources, among which the quantity of shale gas resource is 27.5 trillion cubic meters, and 4.42 trillion of them are exploitable, ranking the first nationwide.Sichuanhas taken the shale gas as one of the five high-end growing industries and is striving to become the largest shale gas production base inChina.

At the forum, participants also expressed opinions on the topics like the possibilities of investment and cooperation in energy field of Northeast Asian region and development prospect of new energy vehicles inSichuan, etc. The forum was attended by government and enterprise representatives from China and Korea and professionals from Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Korea Geological Resource Research Institute (KIGAM), Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), and PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 11^th)

Non-stop Flight fromChengduto San Francisco Everyday from Next Summer

The frequency for non-stop flight serving the international air route fromChengdutoSan  Franciscowill be increased from three flights per week to one flight per day from June 6^th to September 1^st 2015, making passenger’s trip more convenient.

At present, the non-stop flight fromChengdutoSan Franciscois only available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. United Airlines now is applying for flight scheduling to add more flights to this air route. The outbound trip will be fromShuangliuInternationalAirportat 9:50AM and toSan FranciscoInternationalAirportat 8:30AM local time; the return trip will be fromSan Franciscoat 1:20PM and toChengduat 6:40PM local time the next day. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 17^th)

24 Fortune Global 500 Companies Increase Their Capitals and Shares inSichuan

With optimistic attitude to the development prospect of Sichuan, 24 Fortune Global 500 enterprises including Intel, Shell and Foxconn have increased their capitals and shares in Sichuan one after another this year. In pervious 11 months, the actually realized foreign investment inSichuanProvincereached USD9.14 bln, and the foreign investment in actual use of the province throughout the year would be expected to hit USD10 bln.

Since this year,Sichuanhas been quickening its pace of bringing in new major foreign funded projects. The number of newly approved foreign funded enterprises with aggregate investment of over USD10 mln is estimated to be over 85, with yoy growth of 17.6%, significantly higher than growth rate of newly approved foreign-invested enterprise throughout the province. In the corresponding period, 14 new financial enterprises got approved with yoy growth rate of 6 times including 12 finance leasing enterprises, which exceeded the sum total of all approved finance leasing enterprises over the years.

New growth pole will be born from foreign investment and tend to be cultivated under the trend of multipoint and multipole development. In the previous 11 months, the contractual foreign investments in 8 cities including Meishan, Ziyang, Luzhou and Neijiang got a rapid increase, and the rate of increase of realized foreign investments in 5 cities of Nanchong, Bazhong, Dazhou, Ya’an andAbaexceeded 20%.

In 2013, 2054 foreign-funded enterprises recorded in annual report contributed an aggregate investment worthy of USD63.24 bln along with achieved operation revenue of RMB514.1 bln and total tax payment of RMB31.5 bln as well as 508,000 employees, including 199,000 migrant workers from rural areas. In particular, over 30% of operation revenue, total tax payment and employed population were contributed by Fortune Global 500 enterprises. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 18^th)

India -China(Chengdu) Tourism Seminar Held inChengdu

On December 19^th, one of the “Glimpses of India” (Chengdu) series activities in 2014China-India Friendly Exchange Year -India-China(Chengdu) Tourism Seminar was held inChengdu. Representatives from Indian tourist circle promoted and introduced Indian travel resources and travel products heartily and made bilateral docking communications with travel agencies inSichuan. The Indian history has been conserved very well and will present foreign travelers with its truest facts, which is the greatest characteristic of Indian tourism. Nowadays, it’s very convenient to apply for tourist visa toIndia; applicants can receive the visa processing result within 24 hours after visa application materials submitted to theIndiaConsulate-general inGuangzhou. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 22^nd)

Key Projects

Adjustment to Expressway Network Planning with 4 New Thoroughfares fromSichuan

TheSichuan Expressway Network Planning (2014-2030) has been approved by the provincial government recently. And four newly-added thoroughfares fromSichuanare listed in the updatedSichuanexpressway network, including in the section the interritoryofSichuanfrom Xuyong to Yunnan Weixin, the section in theterritoryofSichuanfrom Ningnan to Yunnan Qiaojia, and the section in theterritoryofSichuanfrom Shaanxi Zhenba toChongqing. Up to now, the number of planned thoroughfares to and fromSichuanhas been swelled to 39. The purpose of adding more thoroughfares fromSichuanis meant to strengthen the relationships with adjacent provinces. Among the 39 thoroughfares planned bySichuan, 15 of them are linked toChongqing, 11 toYunnan, 4 toShaanxi, 3 toGuizhou, 3 toGansu, 2 toTibetand 1 toQinghai. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 3^rd)

Chengdu-Kunming Double-track Construction Completely Kicked Off

On December 23^rd, the Chengdu-Kunming Railway Emei to Miyi section capacity expansion project kicked off inYuexiCounty,LiangshanPrefecture, marking the complete kick-off of Chengdu-Kunming double-track construction.

The Chengdu-Kunming Railway Emei to Miyi section capacity expansion project, with a total length of384kmand 18 stations, covers three regions of Leshan, Liangshan and Panzhihua and is the most difficult one to be constructed and with the longest mileage. There are altogether more than 140 bridges and more than 40 tunnels to be built along the whole line, making the bridge and tunnel ratio up to 73%. With investment of over RMB45 bln and design speed of160km/hour, it is expected to be completed in 6.5 years. This initial stage of the project commenced is the Yuexi – Anluo section.

According to the design planning, after the Chengdu-Kunming double-track is opened to traffic, it will only take about 2.5 hours to travel fromChengduto Xichang, about 3 hours to Panzhihua and about 5 hours toKunming. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 24^th)

Industries

Two More National-level International Joint Research Centers Established in Our Province

Whereas, the Polymer Materials and Engineering International Joint Research Center of the Sichuan University and the Advanced Wireless Communication Technology International Joint Research Center of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China have been recognized as the national-level international joint research centers by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the PRC, by now, our province has established 16 domestic and international scientific and technological cooperation bases, including 5 national-level international joint research centers. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 3^rd)

Quantity of New Kiwi Varieties inSichuanRanks First inChina

At the 21^st China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair held in 2014, the “Breakthrough Project on New Kiwi Variety Breeding and Relevant Technology Research”, led and undertaken by the Sichuan Province Natural Resources Science Academy, was awarded the certificates of authorization for 4 new kiwi varieties granted by the Ministry of Agriculture of the PRC.

In recent years, with the unceasing support of the province, the new kiwi variety breeding has achieved remarkable achievement with a batch of new breeding materials successively produced, providing with favorable application prospect. 9 kinds of new varieties were cultivated with quantity of achievements and quality ranking the top nationwide, laying a solid scientific and technological foundation for the development of kiwi fruit industry inSichuan.

Presently, only 14 kinds of kiwi varieties get nationally authorized and 5 of them are cultivated inSichuan, ranking the first inChina. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 3^rd)

The First E-commerce Association in Panzhihua Founded

The establishment of the first e-commerce association in Panzhihua on November 26^th will further integrate the e-commerce industrial resources and improve the product sales in Panzhihua.

Panzhihua E-commerce Association, consisted of many industries like e-commerce, logistics, bank, postal service and fruit marketing, etc., will break the traditional market form of “fighting alone”, provide e-commerce platform for developing enterprises, establish multiple industrial clusters and supporting linkages and achieve common operation to realize the “mutual development”. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 4^th)

Foreign Trade Demonstration Base of Leshan Chemical Engineering Industry Ascends to the Provincial-level Key Cultivating Object

On November 28^th, the “Foreign Trade Development Demonstration Base of Leshan Chemical Engineering Industry”, as one of the ten extraverted-type industrial parks primarily developed by the province, is the only provincial-level key extraverted-type industrial park in Leshan. For the nearly 3 years, the demonstration base has achieved a total output value of RMB 67.934 bln and a total volume of foreign trade of USD 0.939 bln.

The base enjoys solid industrial foundation, improved industrial chain and benign product export situation. Taking the base as a carrier, Wutongqiao District has successfully applied for the establishment of provincial-level key extraverted industrial park integrated with products import and export businesses such as glyphosate, rare earth, pmida, electromechanical products. Presently, 20 import and export enterprises have settled in the industrial park. The enterprises mainly export a mass of chemical products and a few electromechanical products, and mainly import original leather products and equipment. From January to October, 2014, the Wutongqiao District has achieved a total foreign trade value of USD 446.63 mln with a yoy growth of 14.5%, ranking the first in Leshan. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 8^th)

Sichuan Provincial Tea Marketing Association Founded

In order to promote the development of Sichuan tea industry and the market expanding, the Sichuan Provincial Tea Marketing Association which was organized by the Tea Research Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and composed of nearly 100 Sichuan tea enterprises like Zhuyeqing Tea and Sichuan Tea Group, etc. has founded in Chengdu on December 8^th, aiming to promote the standardization and industrialization of Sichuan tea industry and play a role of platform to expand the market as a whole.

Tea-producing area in our province covers 4206 thousand mu and output reached to 219 thousand tons. Both of the two indexes rank third in the whole country. However, the sales volume ofSichuantea is still in an awkward situation as the local tea brands still can not compare with the tea brands of the developed provinces in the aspects of market expanding and branding operation, etc. As “a significant window” to promote the development of Sichuan tea industry, the Association will add new service content, obtain the government entrust, accelerate to build the industrial brand, establish information service platform, set up a public voice center for Sichuan tea industry and a internet electronic commercial center, build a cooperation bridge between government and enterprises and establish a platform for opinion exchange, resource interchange and complementary. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 10^th)

The 1^st Industrial Park Distributed Energy Resource Project Launched inYuechiCounty

The first industrial park distributed energy resource project of our province will be co-built by the SCEI Distributed Energy Systems Co., Ltd. and the GDF Suez which one of the world Top 500. On December 12^th, both parties signed the agreement inChengduand establish a joint venture company to jointly invest in, develop and operate the industrial park distributed energy resource project in theHuixiangTown,YuechiCountyin Guang’an City. The total project cost is about RMB0.35 bln and the installed scale is 36.8 MW.

The Project is the first project of GDF Suez inSichuanmarket. By taking advantage of gas turbine, the natural gas will be transformed into electric energy and the waste heat after the power generation can be used for heating and refrigerating. After finishing the project, the system can provide cold supply system, heating supply system and power supply system to the whole industrial part and achieve an annul output value of RMB0.28 bln. Comparing with the common thermal power plant, the Project can save the standard coal of about 20 thousand tons per year with an energy-saving rate of 20% and an energy multipurpose utilization rate of 81%. Nearly no SO₂ or dust will be sent into the atmosphere. The Project will enjoy a good environmental benefit and economic benefit.

In June of 2014, the GDF Suez and SCEI Distributed Energy Systems Co., Ltd. signed the cooperation agreement inParis. This signing ceremony means that the cooperation relationship between both parties has made a substantive progress. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 14^th)

Jingdong’s 1^st E-Commerce Pilot County Settled in Tianfu New Area

On December 21^st, the first e-commerce pilotcountyofJingdongGroup settled in the Renshou County of Tianfu New Area inSichuan. By taking the strong advantage of its self-built logistics system, the Jingdong will sell all the local advantageous agricultural products to the whole nation while exploring the business model of “diverse, quick, good and cheap” for industrial products.

The reason whyRenshouCountycan become the first e-commerce pilot county inChinais that Renshou is a big county inSichuanwith a huge potential of consumption and production, etc. It is in the core area of Tianfu New Area, enjoys convenient traffic condition and perfect infrastructures, possesses many special agricultural products and has the cooperation point for fresh products delivery.

By the end of the third quarter, the self-built logistics system of Jingdong has covered 1855 counties with aSichuancounty coverage rate of 60%. In the near future, Jingdong will expand business to 6 pilot counties including Zizhong, Anyue, Santai, Quxian, Jiajiang and Xichong inSichuan. Jingdong will also look for other cooperative partners in other area ofSichuanand will expand the experience of e-business expansion across the country. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 22^nd)

Guangyuan Port Opened for Commissioning

At 11:00A.M., December 27^th, the first Guangyuan-made thousand ton-grade ship with the dual purpose of collection and distribution called “Tengsheng No.2”sailed away from the newly built Guangyuan Port which means that the “first port in Jialing”-Guangyuan Port was open to serve and became the 5^th inland port in Sichuan with formed production capacity after the Luzhou Port, Yibin Port, Nanchong Port and Guang’an Port.

As the Guangyuan Port is the origin of the high-grade waterway of Jialing River, composed of three port areas including Lizhou, Zhaohua and Cangxi which are the important constituent part of Guang’an-Nanchong-Guangyuan port cluster and connect the Gannan and south part of Shaanxi, the Guangyuan Port was honored as the “first port of Jialing”. The Port plans to set 12 1000-ton grade berths and achieve an annual through capacity of 2.6 mln tons and 350 thousand TEUs. The Port has multiple functions like load, unload, storage, transfer, reloading, transportation organization and industrial development services, etc.

At present, the first phase of the project in the Hongyan operating area ofGuangyuanPorthas set 4 500-ton grade multi-functional berths. Along with the channelization of theJialingRiver,GuangyuanPorthas become the shipping port which extends to the farthest place in the west inland ofChina. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 28^th)

Convention & Exhibition Economy

Contract Valued RMB 76.8 Bln Signed at 2014China(Panzhihua) Vanadium-titanium Industrial EXPO

On November 30^th, the 2014China(Panzhihua) Vanadium-titanium Industrial EXPO rang down the curtain. During the three days, the total amount of investments and trade projects made inside or outside the exhibition hall reached a contract volume of RMB76.877 bln. Wherein, there were 37 investment projects settled with contract value of RMB34.983 bln and 481 purchases and sales contracts with contract value of RMB41.894 bln.

As the first national vanadium-titanium industrial expo inChina, 835 domestic and overseas enterprises, the representatives from different research institutes and the distinguished guests from 9 prefectures adjacent to Panzhihua participated in the Industrial EXPO. More than 20 thousand exhibits in the Industrial EXPO thoroughly displayed the whole chain of vanadium-titanium industry from the raw material and manufacturing equipment to the terminal products and shown the widespread application of vanadium-titanium products in the aerospace field, medical apparatus and instruments fields and daily necessities field.

High end is the highlight of thisChina(Panzhihua) Vanadium-titanium Industrial EXPO. 6 academicians and more than 300 domestic and overseas authoritative experts and scholars in the fields of vanadium-titanium scientific research and production have held 7 professional technological exchange activities with the theme of “innovation driving development and vanadium-titanium changing the future”, published and submitted more than 50 scientific research achievements, papers and reports and deeply discussed the top-level design, policy space and development path of the strategic resources innovation and development pilot site in west part of Panzhihua with a global view. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 1^st)

China 1^st Tellurium-bismuth Scientific Forum Held in Panzhihua

On November 28^th, the first domestic high-end exchange meeting on the development of tellurium-bismuth industry named the (Panzhihua) 1^st Tellurium-bismuth Scientific Forum and themed by “leading science and technology, innovative development and tellurium-bismuth materials leading the future” was held inPanzhihuaUniversity.

Tellurium-bismuth resource is one of the three strategic resources in the strategic resources innovation and development pilot site in west part of Panzhihua. Shimian in Ya’an possesses the first independently mineralized tellurium-bismuth mine in the world. The tellurium-bismuth resource with extremely high strategic value can be widely used. However, domestic research is still in an initial phase. During the Forum, a total of 8 distinguished guests successively delivered keynote speeches on tellurium-bismuth resource from the aspects of geology, exploration, smelting, market application and technological development, etc. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 4^th)

The 7^th China(Deyang) International SMEs Trade Fair Kicked Off

In the morning of December 5^th, the 7^th China(Deyang) International SMEs Trade Fair was kicked off at the Broadcasting and Television Center of Deyang.

The fair, themed by “cooperation promote the innovation and service accelerate the growth”, opened 4 theme exhibition halls and outdoor exhibition areas with total exhibition area of12400m²and provided 373 international standard exhibition booths.

318 domestic and overseas small-medium sized enterprises came to Deyang to participate into the four days of activities including exhibition display, forum discussion, business negotiation and project docking, etc.

This fair deeply integrated the Deyang industrial characteristics with the transformation and upgrading requirements of domestic and overseas SMEs by highlighting the key industries like e-commerce industry, new material industry, new energy industry, machining industry, fine chemical engineering industry, biological medicine industry, agricultural and sideline products deep processing industry, tourism industry and modern service industry, etc. and emphasizing on three platforms for SMEs: the “zero distance” communication platform between enterprises and relevant leading departments, industry associations, investment and financing institutes and management consulting agencies; the docking and discussion platform between enterprises and professional visitors, purchaser, franchiser and investor and the platform for knowing about the industrial development policy, collecting the latest development information and promoting the healthy development of enterprises. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 5^th)

The 2^nd Chengdu International Urban Modern Agricultural EXPO is Open to Build Trading Platform for Agricultural Science and Technology

On December 11^th, the 2^nd Chengdu International Urban Modern Agricultural EXPO and Agricultural Science and Technology Achievements Trade Fair themed by “science and technology promoting agricultural industry and brand leading the development” was held at the New International Exhibition Center in Chengdu. This agricultural professional fair lasted for 4 days.

Many enterprises from Taiwan and other 10 countries like Australia, Malaysia and Israel, etc. came to the EXPO for visiting and many exhibition groups from 5 domestic cities like Changchun and Guiyang, etc. and 10 provincial cities and prefectures like Panzhihua and Dazhou, etc. as well as more than 800 domestic and overseas exhibitors participated into the exhibition. It is predicted that the total number of professional purchasers and partners who attended the exhibition would reach to 20 thousand person-time and the total number of general public would reach to 120 thousand person-time. The display content contains the agricultural science and technology, agricultural materials, agricultural machinery, fresh and deep processed agricultural products, leisure agriculture, rural tourism and agricultural supporting services, etc. This exhibition has displayed all the technologies and products in the upstream and downstream of the whole agricultural industrial chain and highlighted four exhibition purposes of the modern agricultural science and technology demonstration and trading, agricultural project investment promotion, regional products propaganda and popularization and agricultural products production and market docking.

During the exhibition, 7 special events like the 2014 Chengdu Agricultural Scientific and Technological Achievements Special Promotion Conference and Signing Ceremony, 2014 Chengdu International Urban Modern Agricultural EXPO and Leisure Agriculture and Rural Tourism Development Forum, the 1^st Agriculture Industrialization Leading Enterprises Development (Chengdu) Summit Forum and Modern Agricultural Production and Finance Integration Achievement Conference, the 2014 China Cold Chain Industry Annual Meeting and China (Chengdu) Agricultural Products Cold Chain Logistics Summit Forum and the 2014 Summit Forum of Chinese (West Region) Wisdom Agricultural Application and Development, etc. were held in succession. Meanwhile, 13 special enterprise marketing activities were carried out to provide a platform to participating merchants for professional and effective trade communication. As the host, the 17 districts (cities) and counties ofChengduand the Tianfu New Area have formed into a large-scale exhibition group mainly displaying the modern urban agriculture and promoting the in-depth development ofChengdumodern urban agricultural industry. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 12^th)

The 1^st World Robotics and Intelligent Equipment Industry Conference Opening

On December 20^th,Chengduwitnessed the opening of 1^st World Robotics and Intelligent Equipment Industry Conference & Exhibition, which was well-known as a domestic and oversea high-end industry gathering.

With overall area reaching10,000m²and professional audience amounting to about 15,000 person-times, this conference & expo was attended by over 70 home and foreign intelligent equipment firms with their manufacturing industry robots, service robots, specialized robots, exhibition robots, as well as latest technology achievements in intelligent equipment.

There were then performances presented by cooking robots, greeting robots, recreational robots as well as hi-tech products such as automatic devices and 3D printer on display. On that day, a forum entitled as “Human-Machine Unity; Intelligent Manufacturing” was also held. Worldwide 10 major robots research institutes (including The Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University) as well as authoritative experts and enterprises took their presence and some even made speeches. (Sichuan Daily reported on December 21^st)

CCPITSichuanCouncil

Mr. Li Led Sichuan Delegation of Auto & Parts for 2014 AMS

During December 9^th to 11^th 2014, Li Gang – chairman of CCPIT Sichuan Council led 36 enterprises for presence at “2014 Automechanika Shanghai” (hereafter referred to as AMS). The gesture carried great significance that was structured in triple respects: to boost the development of Sichuan auto & parts industry; to assist related manufacturers and dealers in collecting market information, broadening cooperation channels and introducing new technology and products; to make early preparations for 2015 Automechanika Chengdu as well.

Automechanika enjoys high reputation as one of the three most prestigious auto & parts expos in the world. Automechanika Shanghai, only second to the globally largest Automechanika Frankfurt, was at its 10^th session this year. Taking up an area of220,000m², 2014 AMS showed the latest technology, products and services brought by 4861 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions.

Apart from participation in opening ceremony, exhibition visiting and welcome banquet, Mr. Li compared notes withCao Jiansheng– senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Hong Kong) and Zhou Shaolan – vice general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) about 2015 Automechanika Chengdu and other cooperative projects, inspected Sichuan exhibition stands, and visited “Malaysia – Auto Rubber Parts Procurement Conference”. Companies of the group had exchanges and communications with some exhibitors.

The group gained big harvests: Chengdu Jinzhu Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. signed a bolt & nut sales agreements of RMB15 mln, aimed at a sales amount of RMB80 mln; Chengdu ZHONGDA TIANHAO concluded a transaction of auto maintenance products valued at RMB880000; Jianyang Lingwei Machinery Co., Ltd. determined cooperation intentions with 4 firms outsideSichuan.

To sum up, enterprises on this trip learned much knowledge, recognized gap and deficiency, got direct and deep understanding of concepts, methods and procedures of international brand exhibitions via visits, communications and field investigation, as well as harvested much from exchanges with Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) to lay favorable foundation for “Automechanika Chengdu”.

CCPITSichuanArranged Economic Activities toAustralia&New Zealand

In response to invitation of Australian Trade Commission, CCPIT Sichuan Council arranged 8Sichuancompanies as economic & trade delegation to Australia & New Zealand for corresponding activities during December 8^th-14^th, 2014.

The delegation, along with Australian Trade Commission, organized the Sichuan-Australian Enterprises Exchange Meeting inMelbourne. At the meeting, government officials of the State ofVictoriamade detailed descriptions about Australian auto & parts manufacturing, especially on worldwide leading design and R&D ability, outstanding parts supply chain and 8 major advantages on the whole. The CEO of FAPM (Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers) introduced federation functions, tasks and membership size.Sichuanauto parts firms concentrated their speech on industry development conditions. The delegation subsequently paid a visit to AITA (Australia International Trade Association).

The delegation paid visits to representative office of CCPIT in Sydney Australia, the chief representative of which Chen Min described investment of Chinese companies there and focused on investment opportunities in agriculture & husbandry, real estate, and service industry, etc.

The delegation, in cooperation with CCPIT New Zealand, held New Zealand Investment Introduction Meeting, at which He Zhiyun – the chairman of CCPIT New Zealand introduced auto industry and agriculture & husbandry there and said that he would go to Sichuan in April next year to conduct trainings for students with desires for education in New Zealand and series of visits. Mr. RICKY MAIPI – a famous Maori entrepreneur there stated that Maoris boasted spacious quality land and expressed his hope for cooperation on land development withSichuanenterprises. He also invitedSichuanfirms for investment in post-disaster infrastructure projects and other agricultural tourism projects inChristchurch.

At exchanges and introduction meetings during this trip, 2Sichuanauto parts manufacturers, that is, Sichuan Xianglin Technology Co., Ltd. and Sichuan Lijue Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., made deep communications on technology & talents introduction and specific cooperation manners with Australian famous auto assembling company – Continental, which promised for visits toSichuanfor substantial cooperation at proper time. Sichuan Lijue Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was planned to introduceNew  Zealand's machine manufacturing technology and cooperate with enterprises there on electric car and motorcycle projects. CCPIT Linshui signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with CCPIT New Zealand.

Mr. Li Met Consul-general ofNew ZealandConsulate General inChengdu

On December 17^th, 2014, Mr. Li Gang – chairman of CCPIT Sichuan Council received Alistair Crozier – consul-general ofNew Zealandconsulate general inChengduand his companions.

Mr. Li Gang showed sincere welcome to Mr. Alistair Crozier and his companions and described recent years of development in exhibitions inSichuan. He said that he would like to made contributions on mutual economic & trade cooperation with officials ofNew Zealandconsulate general inChengdu. He pointed out that both parties shall seek cooperation opportunities and desired for fruits especially in auto parts, technology, investment, and import & export. Besides, Mr. Li Gang invited officials of New Zealand consulate general in Chengdu for “2015 China Sichuan Imported Commodity Fair”, “3^rd China (Sichuan) International Home Accessories & Craftwork Fair” and  "Chengdu International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts and Aftermarket Services (CAPAS)" in May 2015. Mr. Alistair Crozier expressed that more NewZealandenterprises would be encouraged to participate in those above exhibitions.

Mr. Alistair Crozier extended great thanks to Mr. Li Gang for glad meetings as well as the latter’s support for Sichuan-New Zealand trade activities. He pointed out thatChinawas one ofNew Zealand’s most important trade partners, greatest foreign students’ base as well as the second largest tourists source country ofNew Zealand. He believed that the establishment ofNew Zealandconsulate general inChengducould give a great impetus to future trade activities and commercial cooperation between two sides. He did hope that more cooperation fields would be worked out between two sides, such as dairy products, agriculture, aviation, food & drinks, new & high-end technology, and electronic products to enhance mutual economic relationship. Bilateral trade volume of this year amounted to RMB100 bln for the first time; two governments had set a more ambitious goal, namely, achieving a bilateral trade volume of RMB150 bln by 2020.

Prosperous Exhibition & Sale ofSichuanCommodity inSouth Asia

During December 17^th-24^th, 2014, CCPIT Sichuan Council, along with Sichuan Provincial Agricultural Department and Sichuan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce, organized 62 local enterprises (44 enterprises on foreign exhibitions for the first time) as a Sichuan economic & trade delegation for “4^th China Sichuan Commodity (Bombay) Fair” and carried out economic & trade meetings in Sri Lanka. According to statistics, total turnover of thisSichuancommodity fair attained USD74.9519 mln, including investment cooperation valued at USD5 mln.

The Sichuan Commodity Fair at Bombay Exhibition Centre was arranged with 58 standard exhibition stands and covered an exhibition area of1305m², with 3.2 tons of transported commodities and about 200 kinds of items on display of over 10 fields, such as agricultural machinery, consumer electronics, decorations & building materials, auto parts, furniture, and fruits, which gained great popularity in Indian markets and attracted about 25000 viewers. Professional viewers heading toSichuancommodity stand for communications amounted to 3000 person-times. 55Sichuanenterprises concluded transactions or determined cooperation intentions on site, which took up 88.71% of firms on exhibition and total trade amount reached USD59.6159 mln.

At “2^nd China Sichuan-Sri Lanka Economic & Trade Meeting” held inColombo,Sichuanenterprises made one-to-one exchanges with 58 local companies, achieving intention agreements valued at USD15.336 mln.

The delegation also paid visits to AIAI (All India Association of Industries), ICCCI (India-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry), ICEC (India China Economic and Cultural Council), Sri Lanka-China Trade & Investment Promotion Association, Ceylon Chamber Of Commerce and 10 state and provincial trade associations in total and introduced our Western China International Fair, imported commodity exhibition and other important economic & trade activities.