STORY: Thai jeweler's seven-year journey at CIIE highlights opportunities
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage
DATELINE: Nov. 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:19
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Li's company
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
3. various of Li working
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
5. various of the jewelry
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
9. various of port and containers

STORYLINE:

Li Jiachun, a 49-year-old jeweler who moved to Thailand from Guangdong, China during childhood and began his journey in the jewelry trading business at 18, has been working in the industry for more than 30 years.

Thailand is renowned as a global hub for processing rubies and sapphires. Before the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which has kicked off on Nov. 5, Li was about to bring nearly 1,000 pieces of jewelry and more than 100 rubies and sapphires to the CIIE as a seventh-time exhibitor.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
"For such an important expo, I will definitely make careful preparations to present more precious and rare items to the audience."

As a dedicated exhibitor at the CIIE since its inception in 2018, Li has never missed any edition.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
"In the first edition, I had only 4 stalls covering 36 square meters, but my booth's area doubled to 72 square meters since the third edition. At the same time, the organizers have always put me at an advantageous position."

Back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Li's company managed to participate in the fourth CIIE despite various difficulties. One of the exhibits garnered significant attention.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
"This unique piece was specially created for the CIIE in 2021. The raw materials were provided by overseas Chinese, the designer came from Shanghai, and the processing was carried out by a century-old processing company in Hong Kong. It represented a collaborative effort."

Li believes the charm of the expo lies in "the surprises every year and the benefits gained each time."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
"I think the biggest benefit I've gained from the CIIE is a better understanding of the evolving needs and latest trends of Chinese consumers."

The CIIE has increasingly focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with more than a dozen Thai companies appearing on this year's CIIE stage. Since November 2020, Li has served as the chairman of the Thai Chinese New Generation Business Association. He is now playing a crucial role in encouraging more Thai companies to participate in the CIIE.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): LI JIACHUN, Thai jeweler
"I hope that through the platform of the CIIE, they can go further and achieve greater success."

Li believes that the CIIE has created new opportunities for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including Thailand, to enter the Chinese market, making the broad Chinese market an excellent prospect for the world.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok.
(XHTV)