(Yicai Global) June 12 -- Officials, entrepreneurs and scholars discussed how the government, industries and companies can stabilize global industrial and supply chains and the prospects of economic globalization amid Covid-19 at the High-level Dialogue of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum held in Shanghai on June 10.

Wang Bingnan, vice-minister of commerce and director-general of the China International Import Expo Bureau, delivered a speech at the event, which was chaired by Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also delivered a video message to the forum.

In Wang's speech, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has shown support for the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

He said that global industrial and supply chains are closely linked in today's world, where countries are becoming increasingly dependent on each other. It is important to discuss how companies and the government should respond in safeguarding the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains when faced with incidents like the pandemic, he added.

Wang hoped for attendees to express their opinions on building an open world economy and a community with a shared future for mankind, and how people can help with the recovery of the world economy and trade.

"We will further make use of these two platforms -- the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum -- to facilitate international procurement, investment, person-to-person exchanges, openness and cooperation, contributing to the stability of global industrial and supply chains," he said.

Wang welcomed companies from across the globe to share in the opportunities provided by the massive Chinese market, and invited officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from all countries to discuss ways to develop the world economy and foster international cooperation.

In his video message, Raffarin said that cooperation has always been the theme of bilateral relations between China and France. He noted that the mutual visits between Chinese and French state leaders last year had further enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

He believes given current circumstances, countries should strengthen cooperation, safeguard multilateralism, and show mutual understanding and respect while working together to confront the challenges they face.

During the dialogue session hosted by Yang Yanqing, deputy editor-in-chief of China Business News and Managing Director of Yicai Research Institute, panelists held a discussion on topics related to the impact that Copvid-19 has had on the global industrial chain and businesses, what measures companies should take to overcome challenges arising from the pandemic, the role of governments in stabilizing the global supply chain, and more.

Special guests of the session included He Yaqiong, deputy director-general of the Bureau of Operational Monitoring and Coordination at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; Xie Jianmin, first-level counselor at the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Wang Xinkui, chairman of the Shanghai World Trade Organization Affairs Consultation Center; Jeongmin Seong, partner at the McKinsey Global Institute; David Aikman, a regional chief representative officer and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum, and John Denton; secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Business representatives included Zhang Xinyuan, deputy general manager of Bank of China Shanghai Branch; Gu Yue, chairman of CPIC Property Insurance; Fabrice Megarbane, president of L'Oréal China, Gina Qiao, senior vice-president, chief strategy officer and chief marketing officer of Lenovo Group; Marco Hecker, chief strategy officer of Deloitte China; and Zhou Xuejun, global vice-president of Louis Dreyfus Company.

The panelists agreed that joint efforts by all countries are necessary to stabilize the global industrial and supply chains and accelerate global economic recovery amid increasing uncertainties in global trade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and delivered keynote speeches at the opening ceremonies of the past two editions of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which is a significant part of the CIIE.

Several foreign state leaders and leaders of international organizations also attended the event and delivered speeches. Since its inception, the forum has brought together a number of representatives to discuss international economy and global trade.

A membership system was introduced starting from the second edition last year. To date, 41 world-renowned companies specializing in finance, manufacturing, electronics technology, medicine, agricultural products and logistics have become members of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

The high-level dialogue was hosted by the China International Import Expo Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai.

This year's CIIE will be held at the center from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10.