In the afternoon of January 24th, Gui Hanfeng, a member of the Chengdu Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Global Economic Development and Cooperation Promotion Association, and Executive President of the Sichuan Provincial Association for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation, led a delegation from the secretariat to visit the Embassy of the United States in China. They were cordially received by Ms. Cathy Feig, the Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the United States in China, and Ms. Zhang Jiangyao, the Senior Commercial Specialist. The two sides exchanged views on the plan of the Global Economic Development and Cooperation Promotion Association to hold the second Panama-Pacific International (Universal) Exposition in the United States in 2026.

First of all, the two sides reviewed the first Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, the United States, 100 years ago. At that time, it was mainly a grand celebration event held to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal to navigation. As a first-time participant in an international exposition, China made its public debut on the world stage for the first time and achieved remarkable results that attracted worldwide attention. Subsequently, Gui Hanfeng, Chairman of the Global Economic Development and Cooperation Promotion Association, introduced in detail to Ms. Cathy Feig, the Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the United States in China, the historical evolution of the "1915 Panama-Pacific International (Universal) Exposition", including that the enterprises under its jurisdiction have obtained all the trademarks, intellectual property rights and certifications from the U.S. government related to the Panama-Pacific Exposition. In view of the influence of the Panama-Pacific Exposition in China and globally, the Organizing Committee of the Panama-Pacific Exposition has decided to hold the second Panama-Pacific Exposition in the United States next year, a hundred years after the first one. As the Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the United States in China, Ms. Cathy Feig introduced that the Commercial Section is subordinate to the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The commercial responsibilities of the embassy mainly serve as a bridge between U.S. and Chinese trade, connecting and promoting trade exchanges between the two countries, introducing the advanced technologies, products and services of the United States to China, providing opportunities for Chinese enterprises to establish and develop trade relations with the United States, and at the same time, promoting and facilitating Chinese investment in the United States. If the Organizing Committee of the Panama-Pacific Exposition decides to hold the second Panama-Pacific Exposition in the United States next year, a hundred years after the first one, she will be willing to provide assistance in terms of visa convenience within the scope of the embassy's responsibilities and the integration of resources of U.S. official and local business associations.

It is reported that the first Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 is briefly called the "Panama Universal Exposition", also known as the "1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition" (The 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition). At that time, it was mainly a grand celebration event held to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal to navigation. The venue was set in San Francisco, the United States. The exposition opened on February 20th, 1915 and closed on December 4th, 1915, with an exhibition period of up to nine and a half months. The total number of visitors exceeded 18 million, setting a precedent for the longest duration and the largest number of participants in the history of world expositions. As a first-time participant in an international exposition, China made its public debut on the world stage for the first time and achieved remarkable results that attracted worldwide attention.

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)