Beijing is using this week's China International Supply Chain Expo as a forum to boost its image as the global defender of free trade -- in contrast with the tariff chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump.

In a thinly veiled swipe at the US leader in his opening remarks, He said: "some countries are interfering in the market under the pretext of reducing risk, using measures such as imposing tariffs".

"Global changes of a century are accelerating, with multiple risks intertwining and piling up," he said.

"We need to further build a shared consensus on development, firmly oppose the politicisation, ideologisation, and over-securitisation of economic and trade issues, and work together to uphold an open and cooperative international environment."