An exhibitor speaks with customers at the Overseas China Import Expo in Qingtian, eastern China’s Zhejiang province, November 16, 2019 (Xinhua News Agency/Xu You)
HANGZHOU, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) — Located on the banks of the Oujiang River surrounded by rolling mountains, Qingtian County has both the charm of a typical southern Chinese town and the atmosphere of a European city. Masu.
With a population of more than 500,000 people, the county in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province is home to 381,000 overseas Chinese living in 146 countries and regions around the world, of whom approximately 100,000 are employed in the global trade industry.
Qingtian’s European-style architecture is not to be missed. This is the result of Qingtian’s global spread.
About 300 years ago, the people of Qingtian began to travel westward and begin global trade with their European partners. Generations of Qingtian communities have planted roots in Europe, opening factories, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Once upon a time, the Qingtian people brought intricate stone carvings from China all over the world. Now, younger generations are returning to Qingtian City, bringing European products such as coffee and wine with them.
Zhou Yong, a native of Qingtian who has been working and running a business in Europe for 28 years, said in 2015 that his hometown introduced a support policy to attract overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and established Qingtian Imported Products City, a trading center for imported goods. I learned that it was established.
Later, Zhou returned to Qingtian and opened a wine experience center where people can learn about Italian wine culture and enjoy Italian food.
According to statistics, about 150,000 people from Qingtian living overseas have returned to invest in the county, and more than 500 companies in Qingtian City have received investment from overseas Chinese.
With the rapid development of overseas product imports in Qingtian City, the returning overseas Chinese community is playing a bridging role, attracting many Italian merchants and brands to enter the Chinese market.
Italian wine merchant Riccardo Lacobone set up a trading company in Qingtian with his friend and business partner Mr. Zhou to enter the Chinese market.
“I have a lot of friends from Qingtian, Italy, so I’ve always wanted to visit their hometown. After visiting, I decided to do something with my Chinese friends,” Racobone said. Ta.
Currently, Qingtian boasts China’s largest imported wine distribution center. Wines from Europe can be transported to Chinese locations in just 17 days via Qingtian, which greatly helps promote Italian wines to Chinese consumers.
Lacoborn said it is now much more convenient to set up a company in China than when he first came to the country. He noted that local governments are simplifying procedures and delivering services more efficiently. These improvements have strengthened his resolve to invest in China and cooperate with Chinese business partners.
“I hope my son will take over my business in China after he graduates,” he said.
At the Overseas China Imported Products Expo in November last year, Lacobone introduced more than 70 Italian wine producers to the Qingtian Imported Wine Fair, helping more Italian wine producers to know about Qingtian and reaching Chinese consumers. The aim was to introduce Italian wine brands.
Ruben Ravatti from Italy’s Cantine Setesoli Group said: “It was my first time to attend an expo in Qingtian. Here I witnessed the solid strength of the Chinese wine market. Many professional exhibitors. I was surprised to see that there were buyers and sellers, and that they were able to interact with each other.” He is in contact with more than 10 potential buyers. ”
Qingtian City has been hosting the expo since 2018. It promoted the prefecture’s trade and import industry and succeeded in introducing high-quality European products such as wine and coffee to the Chinese market.
According to data, during last year’s expo, Qingtian signed 540 import brand certification contracts, and signed contracts with about 200 overseas wineries and 27 coffee companies to set up business in Qingtian. ■