As countries around the world take measures to prevent the new coronaviruses and implement quarantine observations on Chinese tourists, they will have a huge impact on Chinese companies participating in MWC 2020.
Two days ago, GSMA released measures concerning Chinese firms. On the one hand, exhibitors from Hubei Province are banned from participating, and on the other hand, 14 days of overseas health and safety requirements are imposed on Chinese tourists.
Affected by this, the number of Chinese participants has shrunk significantly. According to a Tencent News report, Chinese exhibitor agency said the number of Chinese exhibitors has fallen by more than 80% compared with previous years.
The report said Chinese exhibitor agency had sent a letter to the GSMA, hoping to refund the booth fee or postpone it to the next MWC. They also want the GSMA to assist in the cancellation of related flight and hotel bookings.
"We hope that GSMA can consider the demands of Chinese companies and international companies from the perspective of exhibiting companies," the report said citing a source from a Chinese exhibitor agency.
The MWC's booth fees and tickets are very expensive, and prices are increasing every year. A person in charge of an exhibitor revealed to Tencent News that a 9-square-meter MWC booth was priced at more than 10,000 euros (equivalent to nearly 100,000 yuan).
"Due to the impact of the current epidemic situation, we just hope that GSMA will give a statement. It does not matter if the money is not refunded, extending it to the next session is also acceptable," the source said.
Special Report: MWC 2020 threatened by coronavirus fears
