BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua Silk Road) -- China has recently hosted a series of international exhibitions, with more to come. These events range from the 140th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), which helps China's manufacturing sector venture into global markets, to the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which showcases premium products from around the world. Together, they serve as important bridges for economic and trade cooperation between China and its international partners and demonstrate the country's commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up.
Participating enterprises have said they intend to use these platforms to explore business opportunities and benefit from two-way opening-up.
People visit the Smart Health exhibition area during the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
-- Stronger innovation momentum
At the smart health booth of the 140th Canton Fair, a mannequin slowly raised its arm with the assistance of an upper limb exoskeleton, demonstrating the rehabilitation training process.
It was a brain-computer interface rehabilitation device developed by Cereblink (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. (Cereblink) for stroke patients. The company also showcased its hand rehabilitation gloves at the fair.
Using non-invasive brain-computer interface technology, the products collect motion signals from the brain via a wristband. After decoding and encoding the signals, they drive exoskeletons and rehabilitation gloves to assist patients with rehabilitation training. Compared with traditional rehabilitation equipment, these brain-computer products help patients recover faster, according to Gao Yang, Cereblink's marketing and sales director.
The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair, themed "Advanced Manufacturing," featured more than 12,000 exhibitors. Data from the fair showed that it showcased 128,000 new products, 67,000 artificial intelligence products and 202,000 green products, representing increases of 6.7 percent, 20.5 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively, over the previous edition.
A series of product debuts, exhibitions and performances will also take place at the ninth CIIE scheduled for Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai. More than 200 cutting-edge exhibits, including surgical robots, 6G terminal prototypes and water treatment systems capable of simultaneous softening and mineralization, will make their world debuts, according to the China International Import Expo Bureau.
-- More business opportunities
Exhibitors have made headway in securing orders and expanding partnerships.
Hefei Taihe Intelligent Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Taihe) has participated in the Canton Fair for more than a decade. "We've received a number of promising inquiries at this year's fair," said Xiao Yong, a salesperson with the company's overseas sales center. "The Canton Fair provides us with a platform not only to showcase our products and technologies, but also to connect with prospective customers and develop new overseas distribution partnerships."
Positive market feedback from the CIIE has strengthened global exhibitors' confidence in investing in China. "The CIIE is an important platform for us to deepen our connections with customers, partners and the broader community in China," said San Yan Ng, regional president of Lululemon China and APAC. The company has continued expanding its presence in the Chinese market. In September, it opened a distribution center in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. It also opened new stores and renewed existing ones in multiple cities, bringing high-quality products, services and experiences to more guests.
Liu Lipeng, head of China operations at New Zealand oral care brand Grin, said the value of the CIIE lies not just in orders, but also in a clear growth pathway -- turning exhibits into marketable products and exhibitors into investors.
Liu said Grin is expanding its Shanghai office and recruiting local management talents, aiming to concentrate more headquarters functions, including branding, R&D and supply chain management, in the city. "Our confidence in the long-term openness of the Chinese market is what enables Grin to draw up a five-year development plan for 2026-2030 and bring more headquarters functions to Shanghai," he said.
-- Win-win results
Exhibitions such as the Canton Fair and the CIIE exemplify the mutually beneficial, two-way engagement between China and the rest of the world.
Lian Ping, chairman of the China Chief Economist Forum, said China's exports have proven to be resilient. This resilience is largely underpinned by a combination of factors, including the strengths of China's manufacturing base and complete industrial chains, its strategy to diversify export markets, and the upgrading of its export mix alongside the growing competitiveness of its products.
Meanwhile, China's increasingly open market is creating development opportunities for the world. Zhang Yan, who oversees the New Zealand premium honey brand HAUORA's participation in the CIIE, said China has always been one of the most important and dynamic markets in the company's global strategy. In response to the evolving consumer market and diversified demands in China, HAUORA will enhance its locally tailored services and expand its distribution network into lower-tier markets. The company will also continue to increase R&D investment and launch more specialized products.
In the first three quarters of this year, China's goods imports reached 16.74 trillion yuan, up 22.3 percent year on year. Wang Jun, spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs, said the growing imports not only reflect strong domestic demands, but also demonstrate the tangible results of China's efforts to expand opening-up. China is not only the "world's factory" but also the "world's market" -- an open market shared by all. (Edited by Su Dan with Xinhua Silk Road, silviasu07@163.com)
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