This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)
BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened in Haikou City, south China's Hainan Province on April 13, drawing more than 1,700 enterprises and 4,100 brands from over 70 countries and regions, the Xinhua-run China Securities Journal reported on Monday.
This year's record participation of returning and first-time exhibitors reflects global confidence in China's development.
The huge potential of China's consumer market and the country's policies for expanding opening-up are the key factors luring foreign enterprises to participate in the consumer products expo and invest in China.
-- Unleashing new benefits
The CICPE, running until April 18, serves as a key platform for global businesses to tap into opportunities in the Chinese market.
At this year's expo, a "shopping in China" campaign has been launched for the first time. It features a host of events promoting shopping, dining, tourism, performances and exhibitions, aiming to increase the supply of high-quality goods and services, innovate consumption scenarios, and create a welcoming environment for international consumers, according to Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping.
"We'll showcase more consumer goods to the world, build a broader platform for international cooperation, and let more consumers experience the charm of 'shopping in China'," said Sheng.
On the tech side, the expo connects global innovation resources and holds a series of activities to highlight the latest consumer tech trends and innovations. It also introduces the first-ever global competition for new consumption innovations and builds an online-offline open platform for creations, noted Tang Hua, director of the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB).
-- Offering new opportunities
An increasing number of foreign enterprises are using the CICPE as a gateway to understand the new trends in China's consumer market and find new growth opportunities.
Australian alpaca products manufacturer INJOI, a four-time CICPE participant, returned this year with expanded products. Its adorable plush toys shaped like alpacas, giant pandas, penguins, lions, mammoths, squirrels, etc. drew a stream of visitors.
Zhang Yunquan, CEO of INJOI China, said the company has landed multiple projects through the CICPE. "The expo has helped us understand what Chinese consumers want and enabled us to connect with more partners. We aim to grow in Hainan and global markets by using the favorable policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port," said Zhang.
Like INJOI, veteran exhibitor L'Oréal Group features its luxury YSL Beauty line this year. "L'Oréal has benefited from China's opening-up and seen the increasingly mature consumer market in the country. We hope to further use the CICPE to boost confidence in and inject more vitality to the global consumer sector," said Lan Zhenzhen, president of Public Affairs for L'Oréal North Asia and China.
Gu Gang, Vice Governor of Hainan, noted the past four CICPE editions helped international brands operators better introduce their corporate culture and products to China, while enabling more Chinese consumers and purchasers to discover new quality goods from all over the world. "The expo gives global businesses prime access to China's massive market," he added.
-- Welcoming new friends
This year's CICPE not only includes familiar brands but also welcomes new participants.
At the Country & Region Comprehensive Pavilions, a South African exhibitor was showcasing specialty wine, sparkling wine, olive oil, handicrafts and other products to the audience. "This is our first time at the CICPE," the exhibitor said. "It is a window into the Chinese market and a great chance to reach the Hainan market and beyond."
The company, which focuses on raw agricultural products and processed goods, plans to set up a Hainan branch soon, aiming to distribute products across China and Asia with the Hainan Free Trade Port as a hub.
"We are optimistic about the Chinese market, especially with Hainan's tax exemption policies as part of the Hainan Free Trade Port development," representative of the company said.
New country pavilions also debut this year, including Slovakia, Singapore and Brazil. Singapore's delegation highlights brands such as Orient Crown, Blé de Fonty, and LifeBoost. Liu Peng, chief representative of the Singapore office of the Hainan IEDB, said the Singaporean enterprises attach great importance to the vast Chinese consumer market, and they hope the expo would help them break into the Chinese market.
(Edited by Su Dan with Xinhua Silk Road, sudan@xinhua.org)
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