The Fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), held in Beijing from June 22 to 26, was themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future."

In keeping with the theme, the expo called on all countries to uphold true multilateralism and advance integrated development so that scientific and technological innovation could deliver benefits to more people worldwide.

Intelligent upgrading

Technological tools such as AI models are accelerating the upgrading of global supply chains. This year's Digital Technology Chain exhibition area highlighted an upgrade from digital construction to in-depth AI empowerment for the entire industrial chain.

A dedicated AI Zone was set up for the first time, where leading companies and partners showcased breakthroughs in intelligent chips, large language models and smart devices. It was systematically built along the industrial evolution path of "data and perception — computing power and algorithms — applications and solutions," presenting the entire ecological chain of AI from data collection and intelligent computing to application scenarios.

The exhibitors included leading AI enterprises from both China and abroad, such as NVIDIA, Intel, Qualcomm, Alibaba, Apple and Medtronic. NVIDIA presented its "five-layer" ecosystem of the AI industry, while Apple, in collaboration with three Chinese supply chain enterprises, showcased the latest achievements in intelligent and green manufacturing.

Medtronic brings industry practices and innovative achievements in empowering the medical chain with AI. The AI assistant for interventional heart valve replacement surgery developed by the enterprise in collaboration with its Chinese partner aims to simulate complex surgical procedures in advance, predict intraoperative risks, and customize individualized treatment plans. This helps to improve the efficiency of high-difficulty interventional surgeries.

Turning new quality productive forces into tangible results

More than 160 new products, technologies, services and scenarios were launched and exhibited for the first time, promoting the transformation of new quality productive forces into tangible industrial results.

In the Advanced Manufacturing exhibition area, a 1,000-square-meter low-altitude economy zone was established for the first time, where over 30 enterprises showcased low-altitude aircraft and equipment, as well as multiple application scenarios.

GREE showcased its capabilities in smart factory construction and new energy battery module production lines. Lens Technology presented a foldable ultrasonic thickness gauging product only 0.03 mm thick. Sinochem brought innovative solutions for new chemical materials in areas such as embodied intelligence, future transportation, and a better life.

To promote in-depth integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services, this year's CISCE showcased application scenarios where services such as logistics distribution, financial support, and legal consultation were integrated with production and manufacturing.

The Agricultural Bank of China brought an integrated supply chain finance solution, integrating the concept of green finance throughout the entire agricultural industry chain from "farm to table." It has been increasing financial support for key areas such as food security, industrial clusters, cold-chain logistics, and green breeding.

Closer industrial partnerships

Faced with rising costs and mounting geopolitical friction, global companies are tightening supply chain networks and forming closer industrial partnerships to protect innovation and drive trade growth. China presents the expo as a platform for openness, innovation and international collaboration.

John Denton, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, stressed that while the scale of the expo is expanding, its global significance is also increasing.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and representatives of the global business community jointly issued the Beijing Initiative, advocating jointly enhancing the resilience of industrial and supply chains, and deepening cooperation within the global business community.

GE Healthcare set up a special exhibition area for its supply chain partners. For years, it has been engaged in the supply chain of high-end medical equipment in China, and driven the development of over a thousand suppliers both upstream and downstream.

The COFCO Group, in collaboration with global partners including Cargill and Louis Dreyfus, jointly released an initiative on building global agricultural and food supply chain security and resilience. It aims to promote the modernization of agriculture, digital and intelligent empowerment throughout the entire chain, and green and sustainable development.