Providing More Market Opportunities: Highlights of the 6th China International Import Expo
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 23 – The Sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to take place offline in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. In a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on October 23, officials introduced the preparations and highlights of the upcoming event.
Preparations for the CIIE have been completed, and a total of 3,400 exhibitors and 394,000 professional visitors have registered, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Over a hundred executives from Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading companies have confirmed their participation, marking a new high. The exhibition area covers approximately 367,000 square meters, and the number of Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading companies participating in the event has reached 289, surpassing previous records.
Vice Minister of Commerce, Sheng Qiuping, stated that the goal of the CIIE is to create a high-standard, high-quality, and high-level global economic and trade event. The event aims to provide market opportunities, investment opportunities, and growth opportunities for all participants to foster development.
The national exhibition at the CIIE signifies the commitment to openness and cooperation among all parties. Sheng Qiuping revealed that the event is expected to welcome guests from 154 countries, regions, and international organizations. 69 countries and 3 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the national exhibition. Additionally, five guest countries, including Honduras, Kazakhstan, Serbia, South Africa, and Vietnam, will have a prominent presence at the event. The China Pavilion will be expanded to the largest size ever, covering 2,500 square meters.
The 10th Anniversary Achievements Exhibition of the Construction of China Free Trade Pilot Zone will also be established with the theme “New Achievements in Chinese Modernization Provide New Opportunities for the World.” This exhibition aims to showcase the advancements made by China’s modernization efforts and present new opportunities for global cooperation.
The participation of countries involved in the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative is of particular interest this year. Sun Chenghai, Deputy Director of the China International Import Expo Bureau, highlighted that out of the 72 exhibitors in the national exhibition, 64 are participating countries in the joint construction. Over 1,500 companies from these co-building countries have signed contracts for the event, with a total exhibition area of nearly 80,000 square meters, showcasing a growth of approximately 30% compared to the previous session.
For the least developed countries among those participating in the joint construction, the CIIE will provide incentives for their specialty products to enter the Chinese market. This includes offering free booths, construction subsidies, and preferential tax policies for the purchase of exhibits.
The enterprise exhibition, a significant highlight of the CIIE, is expected to showcase technological advancements and innovation. Sheng Qiuping revealed that the exhibition area for cutting-edge science and technology has increased by 30% compared to previous CIIEs. More than 400 new products, new technologies, and new services will be displayed, attracting leading companies from various industries worldwide. Top vehicle brands, industrial electrical companies, medical equipment companies, mining giants, grain merchants, and shipping companies have all confirmed their participation in the exhibition.
The high quality and efficiency of corporate exhibitions have significantly improved as well. Sun Chenghai pointed out that the scale of this year’s enterprise exhibition and the number of Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading companies participating have reached record highs. Furthermore, over 70 overseas exhibitors have organized approximately 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises to participate, covering an exhibition area of 46,000 square meters. The number and area of small and medium-sized enterprises participating have seen an almost 40% increase compared to the previous session.
The CIIE has been instrumental in stabilizing foreign trade and investment. The first five CIIEs showcased more than 2,000 new products, technologies, and services, with a cumulative intended transaction volume of nearly $350 billion. This year, 322 CIIE exhibitors will visit local areas, effectively promoting knowledge exchange and encouraging exhibitors to become investors.
The Hongqiao Forum, held in conjunction with the CIIE, will focus on global openness and economic hot topics. This year’s theme is “Joining hands to promote development, openness, and win the future.” The forum will host important activities such as the opening ceremony and the “Invest in China Year” summit. It will also hold roundtables on special topics for foreign-invested enterprises and release reports on the World Openness Index.
The convenience, comfort, and satisfaction of exhibitors will be further improved. The CIIE has scheduled 124 supporting on-site activities, covering policy interpretation, trade docking, investment promotion, and research release. Cultural exchange activities involving participating countries and provinces will also reach a new high. Hua Yuan, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, emphasized that the event will highlight smart and green features, utilizing big data, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to optimize various aspects of the exhibition. The aim is to create green, zero-carbon, and plastic-free cities.
With the preparations for the event completed and an array of exhibitors and visitors set to attend, the 6th China International Import Expo is poised to provide extensive market, investment, and growth opportunities for all participants. The event not only signifies China’s commitment to global cooperation but also fosters economic development amidst the ongoing pandemic.