On January 10, 2025, Gui Hanfeng, Member of the Chengdu Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Global Economic Development Cooperation Association (GEDCA), and Executive President of the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation, led a delegation from the secretariat to visit the Consulate General of Austria in Chengdu, where they were warmly received by Consul General Lei Junshan. The two sides exchanged views on the "11th Global Economic Development Forum Austria Summit" planned for May in Austria and discussed future cooperation prospects between their institutions.

Consul General Lei Junshan highlighted that Austria hosts one of the three UN Cities (alongside New York and Geneva). As a developed economy with a per capita GDP ranking among the highest in Europe, Austria boasts a robust service sector, particularly competitive in finance and tourism. Its key industries include precision manufacturing and chemicals, energy conservation and environmental protection, green industries, new energy vehicles, and cultural and musical arts. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to visit Austria and explore opportunities.

Chairman Gui Hanfeng noted that under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, Sichuan and Austria have achieved significant progress in high-level exchanges, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges in recent years. The overlapping of national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the New Western Development Drive, and the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Economic Circle provides favorable conditions and vast potential for Sichuan-Austria collaboration. With intensified government and private exchanges, including the upcoming 11th Global Economic Development Forum in Austria in May, Chairman Gui expressed confidence in expanding cooperation and development between the two regions.

Chairman Gui also briefed Consul General Lei on the "Sharing Opportunities, Creating a Shared Future" Promotion Conference for the 11th Global Economic Development Forum Austria Summit, co-hosted by GEDCA, the Austrian-Chinese Business Association, the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation, and the Sichuan Provincial Suppliers Chamber of Commerce. The event will take place on January 15 at Hall 5 of Century City Convention and Exhibition Center, and the Consul General was specially invited to attend.

Global Economic Development Forum (GEDF)

Founded in 2013 in China, the Global Economic Development Forum (GEDF) registered global trademarks in the United States, the European Union, and Hong Kong in the same year. In 2018, GEDF officially joined the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as a member enterprise, gradually evolving into an IP with Chinese characteristics and international influence. In addition to the "Global Economic Development Forum," the company also owns internationally renowned IPs such as the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition and operates across all sectors of the domestic and international convention and exhibition industry.

Headquartered in Chengdu, China, GEDF has established branches in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Germany, Malaysia, and Austria.

GEDF is committed to building an unofficial, regular platform for cooperation and exchanges to promote cultural exchanges, economic and trade ties, and innovative development between China and the world. Guided by the mission "With a global vision, we create shared value," GEDF strives to achieve connectivity, mutual learning, and win-win cooperation.

Summit History (2013–2024)

As of 2024, GEDF has successfully hosted ten sessions:

1, 1st Global Economic Development Forum · Chengdu China Summit (April 2013)

2, 2nd Global Economic Development Forum · Chengdu China Summit (June 2014)

3, 3rd Global Economic Development Forum · Australia Summit (November 2015)

4, 4th Global Economic Development Forum · Malaysia Summit (November 2016)

5, 5th Global Economic Development Forum · Germany Summit (November 2017)

6, 6th Global Economic Development Forum · Qatar Summit (November 2018)

7, 7th Global Economic Development Forum · Russia Summit (November 2019)

8, 8th Global Economic Development Forum · Central and Eastern Europe Summit (September 2021)

9, 9th Global Economic Development Forum · Laos & Cambodia Summit (May 2023)

10, 10th Global Economic Development Forum · Thailand Summit (June 2024)

Upcoming Event

The GEDF Organizing Committee has received an official invitation from the Austrian government to host the 11th Global Economic Development Forum · Austria Summit in Vienna on May 28, 2025.

Inquiries Welcome

For further details, please contact:

Mr. Deng (+86-13096370008)

Sophie (+86-18482154557)