On May 23, Wang Jian, Secretary of the Yiwu Party Committee, met with Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), and her delegation.

Wang Jian, on behalf of the Yiwu Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, welcomed the Secretary General. He expressed appreciation for UCLG ASPAC’s choice of Yiwu as the venue for the 9th Congress. This decision demonstrates their support for Yiwu’s development and their interest in promoting exchange and cooperation between Yiwu and the Asia-Pacific region. Wang emphasized that Yiwu boasts the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities. Moreover, it is recognized as an entrepreneurial city, an open market, an industrial hub, and a logistics center.

Yiwu has, for many years, maintained strong economic, trade, and cultural relationships with the Asia-Pacific region, cultivating intercity relations with numerous cities in the area. Wang expressed hope that the upcoming conference could serve as a catalyst, encouraging both sides to advance logistics cooperation, enhance connectivity, and foster a spirit of sharing and mutual benefits. He also voiced his expectation that the Asia-Pacific Secretariat would continue to support Yiwu’s international outreach and facilitate exchanges and cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations in diverse fields, including economic and trade exchanges, logistics connections, sister city relations, science and technology education, and people-to-people exchanges. Yiwu will devote its efforts to organizing the conference, ensuring excellent service, and striving to make the event both memorable and impactful.

The Secretary General praised Zhejiang for its impressive progress in both economy and society. She also said that the Asia-Pacific Secretariat would use its strengths to help Yiwu build better relationships with countries and regions across Asia-Pacific, expanding Yiwu’s economic networks.

The Secretary General and her delegation visited the International Trade City and the Yiwu Botanical Garden. They participated in the launch of the Global Youth Business Program UCLG ASPAC Session and the inaugural ceremony of the China-South Korea Consolidation Center for logistics (Yiwu-South Korea). Yiwu officials, including Wang Wei and Luo Zupan, either attended the meeting or accompanied the delegation during their visit. (By Wang Ting)