Core Points - The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference will showcase Central Asian specialties in Qingdao on July 18-19, 2025, under the theme "Jointly Seeking Regional Cooperation and Hand in Hand for Innovative Development" [2] - This year marks the "China Year" for the SCO, attracting around 360 exhibitors and approximately 3,000 buyers from SCO member states, including significant participation from Central Asian countries [2] - The SCO has established a Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao, which is becoming a key hub for trade and economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific market [2] Industry Cooperation - Energy cooperation has been a priority for the SCO since its establishment 24 years ago, with strong resource, market, and technology complementarity among member states [4] - Central Asian countries are rich in energy resources, while China is the world's largest energy consumer, creating a natural synergy for collaboration in traditional energy sectors [4] - In renewable energy, China's technological and equipment advantages align with the needs of Central Asian countries for energy transition and upgrades [4][5] Renewable Energy Prospects - The SCO countries account for about half of the global installed power generation capacity and primary energy consumption, with renewable energy installations also representing a significant portion [5] - China and SCO countries are estimated to add around 500 million kilowatts of renewable capacity annually, indicating substantial cooperation potential [5] - A dedicated international cooperation meeting for the renewable energy industry was held, showcasing technologies from companies like Huawei and Dongfang Electric [5] Equipment Manufacturing Cooperation - The equipment manufacturing sector is a key focus of the SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, with strong demand from Central Asian countries in mining, infrastructure, and food production [8][9] - The SCO Demonstration Zone has gathered 458 large-scale enterprises in equipment manufacturing, with a projected output value exceeding 96 billion yuan in 2024 [9] - The conference facilitated discussions on cooperation in equipment manufacturing, attracting numerous domestic and foreign buyers [10] Challenges and Recommendations - The SCO Demonstration Zone proposed establishing a supply chain information-sharing mechanism to mitigate risks and enhance cooperation in equipment manufacturing [12] - Recommendations include creating cooperative parks for equipment manufacturing and developing key technology standards to simplify cross-border trade processes [12] Broader Cooperation Initiatives - The conference also addressed cooperation in digital industries, artificial intelligence, logistics, and marine IoT, culminating in the "Qingdao Initiative" to enhance international logistics and trade investment [13]

Core Insights - Jiangsu's foreign trade achieved a "5.3% year-on-year growth" in the first five months despite tariff policy uncertainties, driven by innovative strategies and strong platform and policy support [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Jiangsu enterprises are diversifying their export categories, focusing on cultural products that incorporate Chinese elements, leading to significant overseas interest [2] - Suzhou Lvtuan Home Decoration Co., Ltd. exported wooden puzzle products worth 485,000 yuan, marking a "47% year-on-year increase" [2] - Nanjing Leiying Technology Co., Ltd. exported a 107-ton sterile rice production line to Japan, with a "13.83% year-on-year growth" in export value [2] - Jiangsu Jiyou Smart Home Products Co., Ltd. successfully entered the pet home segment, achieving an export value of 5.8 million USD in the first five months [3] - Jiangsu Sanrun Clothing Group Co., Ltd. exported AI pet robot clothing, with a remarkable "12.11 times year-on-year increase" in this segment [3] Group 2: Platform and Policy Support - The "City Procurement" platform facilitated the export of 10 boxes of home textile samples to Vietnam, generating orders worth 290,000 USD shortly after its launch [4] - The platform provides a "one-stop" export service, enhancing efficiency for small and medium-sized enterprises [4] - The Jiangsu government is actively supporting enterprises with policies such as tax exemptions and direct shipping routes, significantly improving export logistics [7] - The "Direct Port Installation" initiative has reduced vehicle export processing time to as little as one day, enhancing operational efficiency [8] - The RCEP agreement has enabled significant tariff reductions, with companies benefiting from zero tariffs on exports to ASEAN countries [8]

Group 1 - The 20th China Western International Expo is being held in Chengdu from May 25 to 29, with a focus on investment opportunities in Western China [1] - The Italy-Sichuan Investment Forum highlighted cooperation in sectors such as equipment manufacturing, biomedicine, and food and beverage, with over 30 companies participating [1] - Italian businesses are optimistic about the development potential in Western China and are actively seeking collaboration opportunities [1] Group 2 - Italian enterprises are currently investing in technology and agriculture in Western China, with potential expansion into healthcare and artificial intelligence [2] - Collaboration with Chinese companies can help Italian SMEs overcome R&D deficiencies and enhance their global competitiveness [2] - The chairman of an Italian technology company noted rapid growth since establishing operations in Sichuan, attributing success to government support and a favorable business environment [2] Group 3 - The general manager of an Italian food processing machinery group expressed renewed recognition of Western China's development potential through the expo [4] - The forum facilitated connections between Italian and Western Chinese food processing companies, aiming to combine advanced Italian meat processing technology with local traditions [4]