On November 8, the 12th China International Oil and Gas Trade Congress, hosted by the Trade Development Bureau (TDB) of the Ministry of Commerce, was held in Shanghai. The Congress was attended and addressed by Sheng Qiuping, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, Hua Yuan, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, as well as heads of relevant oil and gas enterprises at home and abroad.

Sheng Qiuping highlighted General Secretary Xi Jinping’s remarks in his letter to the sixth CIIE that “China will always be an important opportunity for global development, firmly advance high-standard opening up and continue to make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all”. This pledge further demonstrates China’s confidence and determination to foster high-quality development through high-level opening up. Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech on-site during the sixth CIIE, vowing that “China will continue to advance opening-up with greater market opportunities, better alignment in rules, greater impetus for innovation, and greater inclusiveness and benefit sharing”. His remarks represent China’s willingness to create development opportunities and share development fruits with the world.

Sheng Qiuping defined the efforts of hosting the China International Oil and Gas Trade Congress as concrete actions to deliver on President Xi’s concept of opening up and cooperation. Over the past 12 years since its launch, the Congress has always been synchronized with the times, opening-up requirements and industrial development. Following the principle of “enhancing exchanges for win-win cooperation”, it is an active force in strengthening international energy cooperation and enhancing internal and external connectivity.

Sheng Qiuping emphasized the crucial role of long-term and predictable cooperation in energy production, trade and consumption as the green and low-carbon transition has become a global consensus amid the profound changes unseen in a century experienced by the world. All stakeholders should further strengthen communication and coordination to work together to address new issues in the global energy sector, realize new green and low-carbon development and share new opportunities for international oil and gas development.

As an integral part of CIIE, this China International Oil and Gas Trade Congress is themed“Technology Enabling Green Transition: Promoting New Developments in International Oil and Gas Trade”, with the participation of representatives of renowned petroleum producers, traders and shipping enterprises, financial and information institutions, as well as academic and research institutes, from 14 countries and regions. Since its inception, the Congress has attracted more than 5,500 guests from 50 countries and regions worldwide and become a vital global platform for the oil and gas industry to communicate and learn from each other for win-win cooperation.

TDB Director-General Wu Zhengping moderated the Congress.