Officials, executives hail opening-up as pivotal for equitable development

Government officials and business executives hailed the role of opening-up in driving trade and empowering nations, saying it is pivotal to accelerating inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.

In a parallel session themed "Trade and Opening" on the sidelines of the China International Import Expo, or CIIE, participants touted opening-up as injecting fresh vigor into economic growth and regarded the event as a novel catalyst for the next wave of globalization.

The participation of the CIIE "is a testament to the close and goodwill relationship between Tonga and China," said Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika, Tonga's deputy prime minister and minister of tourism and infrastructure. "We also praise the Belt and Road Initiative, through which we can seek new untapped opportunities in areas like tourism."