Haibao News Reporter Man Qianqian from Jinan

　　Regions across the country are making every effort to create high-level exhibition platforms, such as the Canton Fair in Guangdong, the Western China International Fair in Sichuan, the World Internet Conference in Zhejiang, and the Conference of Great Business Partners in Shandong.

　　For Shandong, why is it important to insist on successfully hosting the Conference of Great Business Partners?

　　The most straightforward reason is that it is profitable and can bring tangible investment.

　　Taking the 3rd Conference of Great Business Partners as an example, among the projects signed in Jinan alone, 14 projects have been completed and 23 projects have started construction, with actual utilization of foreign investment reaching 170 million US dollars and domestic investment amounting to 22 billion yuan. These projects are not mere theoretical plans but have substantially advanced the development of industrial clusters in areas such as biomedicine and new materials, serving as a vivid testament to Shandong's efforts in replacing old growth drivers with new ones.

　　The upcoming 4th Conference of Great Business Partners will convene over 600 distinguished guests, ranging from central enterprises, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and Fortune Global 500 companies to overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and leading scholars. Can you imagine the visible and invisible resources that lie behind these participants?

　　The Conference of Great Business Partners may appear to focus on abstract ideas, but it is, in fact, highly pragmatic in nature. Underlying this is a profound transformation within a region, shifting from competing for tangible resources to uniting communities, and evolving from heavy reliance on hard investments to fostering soft connections in its competitive strategy.

　　Secondly, there are intangible benefits.

　　Confucian culture represents Shandong's most distinctive intellectual property. It emphasizes the unity of righteousness and profit as well as harmony and win-win outcomes, which are fundamental business ethics and cornerstones of trust. In an era of growing global uncertainty, this value has become a spiritual magnet that attracts cooperation.

　　By combining the Confucian business spirit of "integrity as the foundation and unity of righteousness and profit" with the entrepreneurial spirit of a new era, this approach not only injects cultural elements into commercial activities but also allows Shandong to establish a distinctive spiritual banner amid fierce regional competition.

　　If we broaden our perspective, we can clearly see that organizing a conference is not about hosting a social gathering but is akin to planting trees.

　　Tree planters do not rush for immediate results. By hosting the Conference of Great Business Partners, Shandong is cultivating the roots of culture, the seedlings of industry, and the vines of cooperation.

　　Cultivating the roots of culture: With Confucianism as the foundation, commerce as the medium, and family as the root, this ethos pays tribute to tradition, while reflecting a conscious effort to seek roots and forge a soul for modern commercial civilization. Only with deep roots can unity and strength be achieved. It represents more than just project matchmaking; it is a "value resonance" based on shared cultural identity.

　　Nurturing the seedlings of industry: Over 50% of the participating enterprises at this conference are engaged in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), new energy, and high-end manufacturing. The keynote address at the opening ceremony, the unveiling of the industrial chain investment roadmap, and the establishment of dedicated funds collectively signal one clear message: Shandong is committed to intelligent manufacturing and aims to take the lead.

　　Extending the vines of cooperation—This conference will also feature activities under the Investment and Talent Attraction initiative, three premium inspection routes, financial matchmaking, alumni networking, and other events. Transitioning from broad-spectrum investment attraction to ecosystem building, and from isolated breakthroughs to systematic strategies, it seeks to establish a multidimensional empowerment platform for industry and relationships.

On October 16, the Information Office of the Shandong Provincial People's Government held a press conference, inviting key leaders from the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province to present updates on the preparations for the 4th Conference of Great Business Partners and respond to reporters' questions. (Photo by Shandong Release)

　　Pragmatism enables fruition, while vision ensures enduring success.

　　Focusing solely on short-term investment, immediate returns, costs, or the number of contracts signed may lead to a zero-sum mindset and make it difficult to understand why regions are so committed to hosting conferences. However, recognizing the influence of cultural identity, the driving force of innovation, the cohesion fostered by global cooperation, and the radiating impact of development confidence reveals the true value of organizing conferences—high-level events are never an endpoint but rather the starting point for new opportunities.

　　Returning to the original question: Is it worth the effort to insist on organizing a successful conference?

　　Shandong's response is clear and resolute. Organizing conferences is not the objective; development is. Investment is not the conclusion; the future is.

　　As one of the attendees put it, "Coming back is not only for business, but also to be with family." As global business partners focus on Shandong, visit Shandong, and invest in Shandong year after year because of this grand event, Shandong has emerged with a clearer new identity as a major economic province on its path to high-quality development. This also stands as a vivid testament to how a promising land proactively creates new opportunities amid changing circumstances.

　　Confidence is more valuable than gold, and it often quietly sprouts during a sincere gathering, eventually growing into a mighty shade.