The 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, was held in Xiamen from September 8 to 11, 2025. On the afternoon of the first day, as one of the key series of events of this year’s CIFIT, the Department of Coordinative Affairs for Free Trade Zones of the Ministry of Commerce organized the “Investment Cooperation Matchmaking Conference on Pilot Free Trade Zones.” Centered around the core theme of “New Heights of Reform, New Opportunities for Investment,” the conference aimed to build a high-level dialogue platform between industrial parks and enterprises through policy interpretation, case studies, and practical matchmaking measures, thereby further unleashing the reform vitality of pilot free trade zones. Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy International Trade Representative Ling Ji and Vice Governor of Fujian Province Lin Ruiliang attended the event. Yuhu Cold Chain, as a representative enterprise from the pilot free trade zone, was invited to attend and deliver a speech.

He Yongqian, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Pilot Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port of the Ministry of Commerce, presided over the conference.

He Xuejun, Chairman of Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu and Meishan), represented the company at the event. In his speech, he mentioned: As a key enterprise in the Qingbaijiang Railway Port Area of the Sichuan Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu) Trading Centre has developed into a digital-intelligent trading centre since its establishment in 2021. It integrates functions such as exhibition and sales, smart warehousing, supply chain finance, and cross-border trade. To date, it has attracted over 600 leading industry enterprises, forming a highly dynamic industrial ecosystem.

He Xuejun, Chairman of Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu and Meishan)

When discussing the development practices under the support of the pilot free trade zone policies, He Xuejun stated, “Leveraging the institutional innovation advantages of the pilot free trade zone, Yuhu Cold Chain (Chengdu) Trading Centre has been able to actively promote business model and technological transformations, tangibly benefiting from policy dividends and development opportunities. On one hand, we have proactively participated in the formulation of international standards, leading or participating in the development of several international standards in the cold chain logistics field, continuously advancing the alignment of domestic and international standards, and contributing the ‘China Solution’ to global cold chain industry governance. On the other hand, by utilizing the institutional breakthroughs in finance, trade, regulation, and other areas within the free trade zone, we have carried out a series of innovative practices that enhance the capital utilization efficiency of merchants in the park, helping enterprises achieve ‘asset-light operation and innovative expansion.’ Simultaneously, the high level of trade facilitation measures and foreign exchange management reforms in the pilot free trade zone have allowed companies to experience unprecedented efficiency and convenience in cross-border settlements, cargo customs clearance, bonded warehousing, and other processes, significantly reducing operational costs.”

At this matchmaking conference, Yuhu Cold Chain also engaged in in-depth exchanges with representatives of the pilot free trade zone and other enterprises on key areas such as the application of high-tech and global resource alignment, jointly exploring new development paths for win-win cooperation and uncovering more industrial synergy opportunities. Looking ahead, the Sichuan Pilot Free Trade Zone is not only the strategic starting point for Yuhu Cold Chain’s layout in the western China market but also an important platform for the company to integrate into the domestic and international dual circulation and connect with the global market.