Zoom in on 3rd CISCE from three perspectives

People visit the booth of Aviation Supply Chain at the Advanced Manufacturing Chain area during the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which concluded on Sunday in Beijing, has reinforced its role as a vital platform for promoting resilient, diversified and cooperative global supply chains, with a promising increase in international collaborations.

With over 6,000 cooperation agreements and partnership intents reached this year, the world's first national-level exhibition dedicated to supply chains is steadily transforming the global supply network into a chain of shared benefits for all.

"This event is much more than an expo. It is a forest of connections between economies, industries and people," John Denton, the secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, said at the opening ceremony. "We are here together to advance our shared prosperity."

Innovation

After three editions, CISCE has built a reputation as a hub of technological innovation in supply chain and a striking showcase for China's new quality productive forces.

"Innovation is the defining feature of CISCE and the source of its vitality," said Yu Jianlong, the vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), organizer of the expo.

This year's expo showcased an array of standout technologies, including a humanoid robot equipped with Nvidia chips, an AI-supported car paint defect inspection system, and a hydrogen energy supply chain display based on liquid hydrogen technology.

Beyond the high-tech products dazzling eager audiences, this edition of the expo also spotlighted a deeper question: how to transform technological achievements into powerful drivers of industrial development.

This year's CISCE featured, for the first time, a dedicated innovation chain zone. Though modest in size, the zone brings together a diverse range of 14 participating institutions, including the World Intellectual Property Organization and the China National Intellectual Property Administration. These exhibitors represent key players across various stages of science and technology commercialization, ranging from policy-making and technology transfer to innovation incubation, and provide targeted solutions to critical challenges in transforming technological achievements.

"Here in China, people are so advanced. The technology adoption is so fast," said Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO, during an interview on the sidelines of the expo, citing many examples of how China's innovative applications are setting global trends -- with companies worldwide learning from its practices.

People visit the booth of TESLA at the Smart Vehicle Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Cooperation

As an international expo shared by the world, the CISCE continues to promote inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation globally. Through the expo, an increasing number of international participants are aligning with the world's most comprehensive supply chain while keeping pace with its rapid development.

According to the data from CCPIT, the expo has seen a steady rise in international participation. The proportion of overseas exhibitors has grown from 26 percent in the first edition to 32 percent in the second, and reached 35 percent this year. Over 65 percent of the exhibitors are Fortune Global 500 companies or industry leaders. Meanwhile, the geographic reach of participants has expanded from 55 countries and regions in the inaugural expo to 75 in the latest edition.

Major multinational companies have utilized CISCE to strengthen local partnerships and expand their presence in China. "Over the past three years at CISCE, we've showcased progress alongside our suppliers in smart manufacturing, green manufacturing and talent development," Isabel Ge Mahe, Apple's vice president and managing director of Greater China, told Xinhua.

She highlighted Apple's 20 billion U.S. dollars investment in China over the past five years, primarily focused on innovation and supply chain advancements, and praised China's dynamic innovation ecosystem and sophisticated smart supply chains. "We are deeply rooted here, incredibly proud of the supply chain we helped build, and will continue to invest and innovate with our local partners."

Domestic provinces also used the expo to court supply-chain partners. At a side event, southwest China's Sichuan Province drew foreign giants with its complete industrial chain, pro-business climate and huge market.

"We entered China more than 40 years ago and we're still expanding," said Utsugi Yuyama, executive officer of Japanese material manufacturer AGC Inc. The company already runs chemical and electronic lines in Sichuan and plans more. He hailed the province's talent pool and comprehensive industrial chain, where local and foreign enterprises integrate to drive growth.

This photo taken on July 17, 2025 shows the booth of Starbucks during the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

Greener supply chain

Green development has increasingly become the foundation and highlight of the expo. How to promote green and low-carbon development across industrial and supply chains has become a notable question at the expo, and an increasing number of major enterprises in their supply chain are stepping up with innovative solutions.

"Green standards, including carbon tracking and sustainability metrics, are becoming essential across industries," said Zhou Xing, head of public affairs at PwC China, who identified green transformation as one of the four key trends shaping the current global supply chain restructuring.

At this year's expo, multinational companies such as Schneider Electric made their debut, showcasing digital solutions for sustainable supply chain construction. The company is working to establish an efficient and resilient green supply chain that can respond swiftly to market shifts.

"The supply chain expo provides an important platform for global enterprises, especially in green supply chain construction," said Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric and president of its China and East Asia operations. Yin added that Schneider Electric hopes to share its experience and seek more cooperation opportunities through the event.

Returning to CISCE for the third consecutive year, Starbucks China spotlighted a comprehensive look at the "green path" from coffee bean to brewed cup. According to the company, around 30 percent of its total carbon emissions in China stem directly or indirectly from its own operations, while the remaining 70 percent originate upstream, from sectors like dairy production and logistics.

To tackle this challenge, Starbucks China announced a strategic partnership with Envision Group, a leading green tech company, at this year's expo. Over the next three years, the two sides will work together to roll out a digital carbon management platform aimed at gradually covering 100 percent of Starbucks China's direct suppliers.