CES Asia, the Asian leg of the influential American tech conference, has been axed as China-US tensions rise amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Organizers announced the show would be canceled today, adding they looked forward to “improved relations with the US and the western world.”
On its website CES Asia’s leadership added that “the pandemic, the economy, and our visible role as an American trade association” had caused its 2020 edition’s demise. “China is an important market and we look forward to improved relations with the US and western world,” it added.
Organizers had postponed the June 10-12 event as early as March. But with global COVID-19 cases continue to rise, and borders shut, there seemed no way the show would go on. Ongoing tariffs and strong exchanges between Washington, D.C. and Beijing have further dampened China-US tech relations in recent months.
CES Asia is the climate’s latest victim. Launched in 2015, it was intended to rival its US counterpart in Las Vegas. Last year’s show attracted 42,560 visitors to China’s second most populous city. Over 500 companies exhibited and 1,517 members of the press covered the event.