The 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (Chain Expo) was held in Beijing from July 16 to 20. Natasha Stanojević, Senior Researcher at the Serbian Institute for International Political Economy, emphasized that the expo organized by China comes at a timely moment in the new phase of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlighting that it offers great opportunities for companies across countries. The article noted that while the BRI previously focused more on infrastructure projects such as railways, ports, roads, and energy corridors, it now prioritizes deeper integration of industry, markets, and digital systems. The expo provides an important platform to understand this transformation and creates a critical area for cooperation among global supply chain firms.
The Belt and Road Initiative facilitates trade through infrastructure investments, with China-Europe express trains connecting 227 cities in 25 European countries and more than 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Investments in regional logistics hubs such as Greece’s Piraeus Port and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port are revitalizing these areas, while the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor opens economic arteries in underdeveloped regions. According to the article, the next phase of the initiative will focus on strengthening integration in logistics, industry, digital technology, and finance, contributing to increased trade and value creation. The expo also functions as an important platform showcasing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things that enhance supply chain resilience. China continues to support global trade through such events.