On February 5, the 15th meeting of the National Exhibition Project Leading Group was held in Shanghai. Zhong Shan, international trade representative and vice minister of the Ministry of Commerce, and Zhou Bo, vice mayor of Shanghai, attended the meeting and delivered remarks. Responsible officials from relevant departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Commerce and member organizations of the National Exhibition Project Leading Group attended the meeting.
The National Exhibition and Convention Center was officially completed and put into operation last year. It successfully held 38 exhibitions and events, with an exhibition area of 3.9 million square meters and 4.12 million visits by exhibitors and participants, achieving a strong start across all areas of work. Held at the beginning of the 2016 new year, this meeting was of great significance for the center to make a good start and lay a solid foundation during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.
At the meeting, Zhong Shan fully affirmed the achievements made during the first year of formal operation. He pointed out that the National Exhibition and Convention Center is a successful example of ministry-municipality cooperation. The Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Shanghai Municipal Government have attached great importance to the center and carried out a great deal of effective work. On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, he expressed sincere thanks.
He required all government departments in the National Exhibition Project Leading Group to further unify their thinking, cooperate closely, address weaknesses and support the comprehensive development of the National Exhibition and Convention Center. The center should firmly establish the five development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, openness and sharing, highlight market orientation, internationalization, specialization and branding, improve systems and mechanisms, serve the development strategies of the country and Shanghai, seize momentum, and become bigger, stronger and more refined.
In his remarks, Zhou Bo said the development of the National Exhibition and Convention Center should reflect its role in serving the Yangtze River Delta and the whole country. He asked all Shanghai organizations and departments to give full support to the center's work, especially by helping solve problems encountered in operation and management.
Shang Yuying, executive deputy director of the Office of the National Exhibition Project Leading Group and director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, made a special report on relevant work since the 14th meeting of the exhibition project and on work arrangements for 2016. National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the Qingpu District Government and other organizations also reported on relevant matters.