Chongqing - On November 19, the first Cross-Strait Service Industry Conference and the 13th Cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao Service Industry Forum were held in Southwest China's Chongqing. 

On November 19, the first Cross-Strait Service Industry Conference and the 13th Cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao Service Industry Forum were held in Southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/The event organizer)

The event focused on exploring innovative drivers of new quality productive forces and analyzing the current trends and development of the service industries across the Taiwan Strait,  Hong Kong, and Macao special administrative regions. Discussions also centered on the role of young people in pioneering and innovating within the service sector and strategies for fostering cross-strait and Hong Kong-Macao service industry cooperation.

Jiang Ming, President of the China General Chamber of Commerce, said, "I hope this forum becomes a representative, inclusive, and practical platform for cross-strait exchanges. It is our goal to help Taiwan businesses and youth better integrate into the Chinese mainland's evolving service industry development."

"The service sectors in Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are highly complementary," said Zhang Pingzhao, Honorary Chairman of the Taiwan Coalition of Service Industries. "Through practical cooperation, we can blend Taiwan's refined services and innovation expertise with the Chinese mainland's booming market and digital economy. Together, we can build a mutually beneficial future."

Jiang Ming, President of the China General Chamber of Commerce, noted the complementary strengths of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. (Photo/The even organizer)

Reflecting on the forum's history, Zhang Zhigang, former president of the China General Chamber of Commerce and a founding figure, said, "The forum has evolved from an initial idea into a significant platform for cooperation. Now, more than ever, we must advance economic exchanges and ensure greater engagement from Taiwan's youth in cross-strait collaboration."

During the forum, the China General Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan Coalition of Service Industries, Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, and Taiwan Federation of Commerce jointly launched the "Cross-Strait Service Industry Cooperation and Integration Development Initiative."

The initiative includes three key points: promoting the deep integration of traditional and innovative service industries across the Taiwan Strait, strengthening exchanges between young people on both sides, and advancing the green, low-carbon, and sustainable development of the service industry across the Strait.

The China General Chamber of Commerce and influential service industry organizations from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao have established the International Service Alliance Cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao Service Industry Joint Working Mechanism. 

This mechanism will work to enhance communication, set operational guidelines, and promote high-quality integration of service industries across the regions.

The conference featured four thematic forums: "Service Industry Cooperation and Innovative Development," "The Role of Youth in Service Industry Development," "Compliance and ESG," and "International Cooperation in Vocational Education."

Renowned companies and industry experts from the cross-strait, Hong Kong, and Macao regions engaged in in-depth discussions on various sub-sectors of the service industry, including financial services, information technology, youth innovation, cybersecurity, legal consulting, e-commerce, cultural creativity, ESG compliance, and vocational education.

The 2024 International Service Industry Skills Competition's final awards ceremony was held during the conference, concluding a competition that included national and international rounds.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Cross-Strait and Hong Kong-Macao Service Industry Forum, organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce, has been a key platform for promoting exchanges in foreign trade and services.