People visit the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Liang)
BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) is held in east China's Shanghai from November 5 to 10, showing the country's determination to high-level opening up.
Since its first edition in 2018, the expo has become an important platform for countries to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and build an open and inclusive world economy.
Gathering new products and technologies, this year's CIIE also injects innovative vitality into global development.
-- Exemplifying opening-up
"CIIE is the best example of China's continuous promotion of opening-up and win-win outcomes," said Ching Pong Quek, member of the executive board of German forklift truckmaker Kion Group, adding that the company has benefited a lot as an exhibitor of CIIE, which provides enormous opportunities for enterprises to have in-depth communication, establish connection, and carry out cooperation with local customers and stakeholders.
Seven years on, CIIE, the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, has seen an expanded "circle of friends" and yielded impressive results that highlight China's commitment to wider opening-up.
Previous six editions of CIIE recorded an intended transaction turnover of more than 420 billion U.S. dollars. Over 1,130 foreign-funded enterprises and investment promotion agencies were organized to engage in precise matchmaking activities across China, and a number of exhibitors had set up new stores, factories and R&D centers in the country.
China's further opening-up is also illustrated by the seventh CIIE: this year's expo attracts 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, with the number of participating countries (regions) and enterprises both exceeding the previous session; it sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event; a total of 186 enterprises and organizations have taken part in all the seven editions of CIIE; a large area of over 360,000 square meters is set up for business exhibition.
Kavinda Rajapaksa, deputy president of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, said in the face of today's protectionism and uncertainties, CIIE has benefited the global economy by introducing a new pattern of economic globalization and strengthening multilateralism through opening-up measures.
-- Benefiting people of all countries
As the largest developing country, China has always been creating new opportunities for global development through its own development.
Embracing the philosophy of a community with a shared future for mankind, CIIE is committed to giving full play to its role as an international public good. Direct measures will be taken to assist enterprises from the least developed countries to enter the Chinese market and integrate into the global economy, Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, told a press conference on October 23.
The seventh CIIE welcomes 37 least developed countries to participate in the event by providing 120-odd booths free of charge to enterprises from those countries. Madagascar's lamb thereby is able to make its debut at this year's expo, ushering in a new path for promoting the country's agricultural modernization.
People visit the Tanzania Pavilion during the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/ Zhou Xinyi)
Meanwhile, the exhibition area for African products is expanded this year. Coffee from Ethiopia, honey from Tanzania, and other African specialty agricultural products such as sesame, peanut, and soybean are exposed to a broader international market.
Developing countries and least developed countries have gained benefits from CIIE, said Mohamed Youssef, executive director of the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, who described CIIE as an embodiment of China's opening-up and its sincere desire to share modernization experience and development achievements with Global South countries.
In the view of Peter Katjavivi, speaker of the Namibian National Assembly, CIIE echoes the Global Development Initiative, for both of them pledge to help more countries and people obtain development opportunities.
-- Pooling innovations
Innovative drivers for global economic growth are coming into formation in Shanghai, as advanced technologies and equipment enter the Chinese market through CIIE.
Visitors experience an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the exhibition area of automobile during the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
More than 400 new products, new technologies and new services are unveiled during the seventh CIIE, including a batch of exhibits representing new quality productive forces that cover cutting-edge fields such as high-end equipment, new materials, marine engineering equipment, biotechnology, and advanced agricultural technology, according to Wu Zhengping, deputy director general of the CIIE Bureau.
French multinational Schneider Electric has participated in the CIIE for seven consecutive years. The company is showcasing its latest products, services and applications that integrate digitalization, automation and electrification technologies at the ongoing expo, according to Yin Zheng, global executive vice president of Schneider Electric.
From Yamaha Motor and Nippon Paint to Michelin and GE Vernova, many renowned global enterprises are debuting their new products in China, Asia and even the world as well as cutting-edge technologies at the high-profile trade promotion event.
"We hope to comprehensively show our extensive business and global strength via the CIIE. We will continue to increase investment in China and firmly believe that investing in China is investing in the future," stated Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China.
Dusan Bella, former Slovak ambassador to China, is a witness to CIIE's role in promoting China-Slovakia cooperation on technological innovation. He said technology and innovation are driving global development. Visitors can find many inventions and innovative solutions at such expos, and exhibitors are there either to show their inventions or to look for inspiration.
(Edited by Su Dan with Xinhua Silk Road, sudan@xinhua.org)
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