第三届中外地理标志产品博览会在四川泸州开幕

  第三届中外地理标志产品博览会在四川泸州开幕

     9月20日，由泸州市人民政府主办，商务部外贸发展事务局、欧盟驻华代表团等单位重点支持的第三届中外地理标志产品博览会在泸州国际会展中心盛大开幕。

     外交部中国政府欧洲事务特别代表吴红波、第十二届四川政协副主席李昌平、爱沙尼亚驻华大使韩朔、马达加斯加驻华大使让·路易·罗班松、毛里求斯驻华大使馆大使王纯万、商务部外贸发展事务局局长刘殿勋、欧中经济合作与发展理事会理事长、上海中欧中心理事长潘锋、商务部条约法律司副司长李明、西班牙驻成都总领事卡洛斯·萨恩斯·得哈达、法国驻成都总戴宁智、德国驻成都总领事密安龙、中国国际投资促进会副会长、商务部欧洲司原司长周晓燕、中国驻欧盟使团经商处原公使夏翔、中国欧盟商会副主席马晓利出席开幕式并致辞，欧盟委员会农业委员沃伊切霍夫斯基、中国驻欧盟使团公使彭刚视频致辞。来自欧盟、西班牙、法国、意大利、波兰、德国、奥地利、塞浦路斯等国家驻华使领馆官员代表，国家相关部委领导及国内外行业商协会、知名地标产品企业、科研院校、投资机构、法务机构的嘉宾和专家学者，四川省相关部门负责人、省内外有关市（州）和龙头企业的负责人等三百余位中外嘉宾出席开幕式。开幕式上，成渝地区双城经济圈地理标志产业发展城市协同合作启动，为成渝地区双城经济圈地理标志产业发展注入新的动能。

     吴红波在致辞中表示，近年来，中欧各领域务实合作取得了长足的发展，经贸、绿色、人文、科技等领域的合作不断深化。中外地理标志产品博览会是增进开放互信的平台，相信通过中欧双方的推广合作，会有更多的优质产品造福双方的民众，促进中欧友好合作。举办地理标志产品博览会，是推动协定落地开花结果的重要举措。四年来，中欧双方共同努力，大力推进地理标志产品的高水平保护，产业高质量发展，越来越多的地理标志产品在博览会等平台上大放异彩，在中国和欧洲市场上广受欢迎。此次博览会上举办的多长活动也是在为中欧乃至亚、非、拉地区的地标行业的高质量发展探路。

     爱沙尼亚大使韩朔表示，2023年欧盟出口了将近146亿欧元的农业产品，进口超过了83亿欧元的农业产品，中国已经成为欧盟最大的贸易伙伴之一，在2023年中国是欧盟农业食品产品的第三大目的地，它占据了欧盟农业食品总出口的6%，并且欧盟农业产品食品是第五大进口来源国。此次的地标产品博览会将进一步促进欧盟和中国农业食品公司之间的贸易联系，能够进一步帮助我们去发展互利和持久的合作关系。爱沙尼亚希望向我国的买家、零售商、进口商、分销商提供相关的利息和理解。

     马达加斯加大使在致辞中表示，泸州这座美丽的城市，它以其丰富的文化遗产、迷人的风景以及中国驰名的白酒泸州老窖而闻名，本次会议恰逢其时，同时在中国商务部和四川省农业农村厅的支持下，此次博览会不仅是世界一流产品的展会，也是合作创新和文化交流的见证。

     毛里求斯大使在致辞中表示，非常重视与泸州的合作，期待在中国市场推广毛里求斯独特的农业产品、手工艺海产品等，这样能够让更多的中国人欣赏，并且喜爱毛里求斯的文化和产品来源，同时也欢迎泸州的高质量商品进入毛里求斯，来满足我们国内消费者日益多样化的需求。我们坚信，加强合作可以促进贸易便利化，推动经济发展，为各国企业带来更多机会。

     刘殿郧指出，中国政府高度重视知识产权的保护工作，持续不断地在加大保护力度，提升保护水平。中外地理标志产品博览会已经成功举办了两届，说明展会的影响力在持续扩大，专业化的程度也逐年提高，国别和企业代表性也越来越强，希望这个窗口能够为中外地理标志产品作出更大的贡献。

     潘锋在致辞中表示，中国是欧盟农产品的重要市场，2023年贸易总额达到309.9亿美元，比上年增长1.4%。中欧地理标志合作展现了双方优势互补、互利共赢的特点。中外地标博览会的举办将为中欧经贸合作带来新的增长动力，推动中欧双方在政策沟通、标准互认、市场开拓等方面的交流与合作，秉承“促进中欧经贸合作、深化人文交流”的宗旨，共同推动地理标志产品的品牌建设和市场拓展。

     为期三天的中外地理标志产品博览会，延续“强化地理标志保护·促进产业高质量发展”主题，邀请西班牙担任主宾国，古蔺县担任主题县（首次设置）。展会期间，还举行了主宾国馆开馆仪式、中欧地理标志馆开馆仪式、中外地理标志产品供需对接会、电商直播带货及选品活动等重大专题活动11项，主题区县（古蔺县）系列活动、泸州桂圆采摘季、知名企业家泸州行等系列配套活动10项。西班牙、法国、马达加斯加等20多个国家的驻华大使、驻华代表团、驻华使领馆官员等30多名重要外宾参会，畅谈合作，共同探索中外地理标志产品交易、投资促进、人文交流新路径。同时，主办方将协同近千家企业联合打造“云上”地标产品博览会，丰富“线上”消费新体验，呈现一场专业、精彩、特色、新颖的国际盛会。

     第三届中外地标产品博览会参展企业、参展商品数量均创历史新高，参展企业中经营地标产品的企业占比超60%，是历届中外地标产品博览会中占比最高的。本届博览会展出面积4.5万平方米，设置主宾国西班牙馆、中欧地理标志产品馆、白酒精品馆、特色产区馆、综合馆、主题县—古蔺馆等精品展馆；波兰琥珀、秘鲁羊驼工艺品、江津玉、酉阳茶油、盐源苹果、增城丝苗米、普宁蕉柑、南沙青蟹等3200余款特色产品集体展出。主宾国西班牙馆重点展出橄榄油、火腿、奶酪、葡萄酒等西班牙美食标志性产品，举办葡萄酒品尝、火腿切片、经典菜肴品鉴等活动，向企业和公众宣传西班牙地标美食。

  The Third GIPE Opens in Luzhou, Sichuan

On September 20th, the GIPE 2024, hosted by the Luzhou Municipal Government with key support from the Trade Development Bureau of MOFCOM and the EU Delegation to China, grandly opened at the Luzhou International Exhibition Center.

Dignitaries attending the opening ceremony included Wu Hongbo, Special Representative for European Affairs of the Chinese Government at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Li Changping, former Vice Chairman of the 12th Sichuan Provincial CPPCC, Hannes Hanso, Estonian Ambassador to China, Jean Louis Robinson, Madagascar Ambassador to China, Alain Wong Yen Cheong, Mauritius Ambassador to China, Liu Dianxun, Director-General of the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, Pan Feng, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Development and Cooperation Council and Chairman of the CEPCTE, Li Ming, Deputy Director Genral` of the Treaty and Law Department of the Ministry of Commerce, Carlos Sáenz de Tejada, Consul General of Spain in Chengdu, Guillaume DELVALLEE, Consul General of France in Chengdu, and Aron Mir Haschemi, Consul General of Germany in Chengdu. Video messages were delivered by Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, and Peng Gang, Minister at the Chinese Mission to the EU. Over 300 distinguished guests from China and abroad, including officials from embassies and consulates of the EU, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, as well as representatives from national ministries, domestic and foreign industry associations, renowned geographical indications product companies, research institutions, investment institutions, and legal organizations, attended the ceremony. During the opening, collaborative efforts between cities within the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone to promote geographical indications industries were initiated, injecting new momentum into the development of geographical indications in the region.

Wu Hongbo emphasized in his speech that in recent years, practical cooperation between China and Europe in various fields has made significant progress, deepening in areas such as trade, green development, culture, and technology. The China-Europe Geographical Indications Products Expo serves as a platform to enhance openness and mutual trust. He expressed confidence that through promotional cooperation between China and Europe, more high-quality products would benefit the people of both sides and foster friendly cooperation. Holding the Geographical Indications Products Expo is an important measure to promote the implementation of the agreement and to achieve practical results. Over the past four years, China and Europe have worked together to vigorously promote the high-level protection of geographical indications products and the high-quality development of the industry. An increasing number of geographical indications products have shone brightly at platforms like this expo, becoming widely welcomed in both Chinese and European markets. The numerous activities held during this expo are also paving the way for the high-quality development of the geographical indications industry in China, Europe, and even in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Estonian Ambassador Hannes Hanso remarked that in 2023, the EU exported nearly 14.6 billion euros of agricultural products and imported over 8.3 billion euros of agricultural products. China has become one of the EU's largest trading partners, and in 2023, China was the EU's third-largest destination for agricultural and food products, accounting for 6% of the EU's total agricultural exports. Additionally, the EU is the fifth-largest source of agricultural imports for China. This Geographical Indications Products Expo will further promote trade relations between EU and Chinese agricultural and food companies, helping to develop mutually beneficial and enduring cooperative relationships. Estonia looks forward to providing Chinese buyers, retailers, importers, and distributors with relevant insights and understanding.

Madagascar Ambassador Jean Louis Robinson, in his speech, highlighted that Luzhou, a beautiful city renowned for its rich cultural heritage, enchanting scenery, and the famous Luzhou Laojiao liquor, was a fitting host for this conference. He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in making this expo a showcase for world-class products and a testament to cooperative innovation and cultural exchange.

Mauritius Ambassador Alain Wong Yen Cheong expressed his strong commitment to collaboration with Luzhou, hoping to promote Mauritius' unique agricultural, artisanal, and seafood products in the Chinese market. He anticipated that m]ore Chinese consumers would come to appreciate and enjoy the culture and products of Mauritius. At the same time, he welcomed high-quality products from Luzhou into the Mauritian market to meet the increasingly diverse demands of Mauritian consumers. Ambassador Wang emphasized that strengthening cooperation could facilitate trade and promote economic development, bringing more opportunities for businesses in both countries.

Liu Dianxun pointed out that the Chinese government places great importance on the protection of intellectual property rights, continually enhancing the level of protection. The successful hosting of two previous China-Europe Geographical Indications Products Expos demonstrates the growing influence of the event, with increasing professionalization and greater representation of countries and enterprises. He hoped this platform would continue to contribute more significantly to the development of China and foreign geographical indications products.

Pan Feng noted that China is an important market for EU agricultural products, with a total trade volume of USD 30.99 billion in 2023, up 1.4% from the previous year. The cooperation between China and the EU on geographical indications highlights the complementary strengths and mutual benefits of both sides. The hosting of this expo will provide new growth momentum for China-EU economic and trade cooperation, fostering further exchanges and cooperation in policy communication, standards recognition, and market development. Adhering to the principle of "promoting China-EU economic and trade cooperation, deepening cultural exchange," the expo aims to jointly promote brand building and market expansion for geographical indications products.

The three-day Global Geographical Indications Products Expo, themed "Strengthening Geographical Indications Protection, Promoting High-Quality Industrial Development," featured Spain as the guest of honor and Gulin County as the thematic county. During the expo, 11 major thematic events were held, including the opening ceremonies of the Guest of Honor Pavilion, the China-EU Geographical Indications Pavilion, and the China-Europe Geographical Indications Products Supply-Demand Matchmaking Conference, as well as live e-commerce activities. There were also 10 supporting events, including thematic county (Gulin County) activities, the Luzhou Longan Picking Festival, and the Luzhou Entrepreneurs Tour. More than 30 distinguished foreign guests, including ambassadors and representatives from over 20 countries, such as Spain, France, and Madagascar, participated in the event, discussing cooperation and jointly exploring new paths for trade, investment, and cultural exchange involving China and foreign geographical indications products. Meanwhile, the organizers collaborated with nearly 1,000 companies to create an online version of the expo, offering consumers a new digital shopping experience and presenting a professional, exciting, distinctive, and innovative international event.

This third China-Europe Geographical Indications Products Expo set new records in terms of the number of participating companies and products, with over 60% of exhibitors specializing in geographical indications products, the highest proportion in the event's history. The expo covered an exhibition area of 45,000 square meters and featured six themed pavilions: the Spain Pavilion, the China-EU Geographical Indications Products Pavilion, the Premium Liquor Pavilion, the Special Production Regions Pavilion, the Comprehensive Pavilion, and the Thematic County Pavilion—Gulin Pavilion. Over 3,200 unique products were on display, including Polish amber, Peruvian alpaca handicrafts, Jiangjin jade, Youyang camellia oil, Yanyuan apples, Zengcheng silk seedlings, Puning banana citrus, and Nansha blue crabs. The Guest of Honor Spain Pavilion showcased signature Spanish food products, such as olive oil, ham, cheese, and wine, hosting activities like wine tasting, ham slicing, and classic dish appreciation, promoting Spanish culinary culture to enterprises and the public.