NEAR Secretary-General Kim Ok-chae delivered his congratulatory remarks via video at the First China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo, which took place from September 25 to 27. It was hosted by the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a Chinese NEAR member. In his speech, he rated the accomplishment made by Ningxia in the global wine market highly. He also expressed his hopes that the expo would develop further through the NEAR platform. Mr. Kim’s remarks were reported in China via the local press, including the Guangming Daily and the China Youth Daily.

Figures, including Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Chen Zhu, Communist Party Secretary of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Chen Runer, former Prime Minister of France Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries Fernando Mattos attended the opening ceremony.

The China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo is China’s first national-level comprehensive exhibition of wine, culture, and tourism. It is co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the People's Government of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.