Executive Summary
- The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has opened in Shanghai, setting new records for scale with participation from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, and 4,108 overseas exhibitors.
- The CIIE is emphasized by global leaders and entrepreneurs as a crucial platform for promoting openness, innovation, fostering international partnerships, and demonstrating China’s commitment to an inclusive global economy.
- International participants, including Slovenian firms, Zotter Chocolate, and Sudan’s Safari Import and Export Company, express confidence in the Chinese market and have reported significant business growth and new opportunities through the expo.
The Story So Far
- The China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves as a significant annual platform demonstrating China’s commitment to economic openness and fostering shared global prosperity. This event allows foreign businesses to showcase products, forge new partnerships, and access the vast Chinese market, while simultaneously enabling Chinese entrepreneurs to engage with global innovations and strengthen economic resilience through mutually beneficial development.
Why This Matters
- The 8th China International Import Expo, by drawing record international participation and facilitating numerous business deals, reinforces China’s commitment to economic openness and its role as a vital global trade platform, enabling foreign companies to access the Chinese market, showcase innovations, and forge partnerships that boost their economic resilience and expand their global reach.
Who Thinks What?
- Marko Lotric, president of the National Council of Slovenia, views the CIIE as an important global platform for showcasing Slovenian innovation, technology, and products, fostering new business opportunities, and promoting openness and collaboration.
- Kyrgyz media expert Taalaibek Oroskulov considers the CIIE a flagship platform for displaying cutting-edge technologies, emphasizing its global significance and China’s philosophy of open cooperation based on respect and equal partnerships.
- Exhibitors like Zotter Chocolate and Sudan’s Safari Import and Export Company see the CIIE as their most important fair in China for brand visibility, a platform for economic resilience, and a vital opportunity to strengthen cooperation, expressing confidence in the Chinese economy and reporting increased contract values.
The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) recently commenced in Shanghai, drawing global attention as a significant platform for international trade and economic cooperation. The six-day event, which opened last week, has set new records for its scale, featuring participation from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations.
Leaders and entrepreneurs from around the world have underscored the expo’s role in fostering shared prosperity and demonstrating China’s commitment to economic openness. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the expo brings together 4,108 overseas exhibitors across a total exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square meters.
Global Platform for Innovation and Partnerships
Marko Lotric, president of the National Council of Slovenia, emphasized the CIIE’s importance for showcasing Slovenian innovation, technology, and products to both Chinese and global markets. Leading a delegation of seven Slovenian companies, Lotric expressed expectations for new business opportunities, knowledge exchange, and long-term partnerships between Slovenian and Chinese enterprises.
Lotric further praised the CIIE as a global platform that promotes openness, collaboration, and innovation sharing. He noted that such initiatives help countries like Slovenia build new partnerships, explore new markets, and contribute to mutually beneficial development, aligning with Slovenia’s appreciation for China’s efforts to foster an open and inclusive global economy.
Kyrgyz media expert Taalaibek Oroskulov described the CIIE as a flagship platform for displaying cutting-edge technologies, asserting its global significance “cannot be overstated.” Oroskulov highlighted that Chinese entrepreneurs gain access to global innovations, while foreign businesses find more favorable conditions in China for scaling up production, ultimately leading to success.
Oroskulov also pointed to China’s success in the global market, attributing it not only to robust industrial capacity but also to a philosophy of open cooperation. This approach, he noted, is grounded in respect and equal partnerships, which are designed to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
Exhibitor Confidence and Economic Resilience
Austrian family-owned firm Zotter Chocolate, a consistent participant since 2018, views the CIIE as its “biggest and most important fair” in China for brand visibility. Julia Zotter, junior CEO of the company, expressed confidence in the Chinese economy’s prospects, citing the support received from local authorities since their investment 12 years ago.
Sudan’s Safari Import and Export Company has also participated annually, introducing agricultural products like sesame and gum arabic to China. Mamdouh Shenouda Mamlouk, the company’s director general, called the expo “a platform for economic resilience and a vital opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Sudan and China.”
Mamlouk noted a significant increase in contract values for his company, from 8 million U.S. dollars in 2019 to over 27 million dollars in 2024. He stated that the expo has provided a genuine window into the Chinese market and bolstered partners’ confidence in Sudan as a reliable supplier.
A Cornerstone of China’s Openness
The 8th China International Import Expo continues to solidify its role as a critical event for global trade and economic exchange. By bringing together a diverse array of international participants and fostering an environment for collaboration and innovation, the expo reflects China’s ongoing commitment to an open economy and shared global growth.
