7th China International Import Expo: A Grand Event of Openness and Cooperation, Over $80 Billion in Intentional Deals

On November 10, the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded successfully in Shanghai, showcasing impressive highlights that underscore its strong international influence and appeal.

In terms of scale and exhibitors, the number of Fortune 500 companies and leading industry players reached a new high. The enterprise exhibition spanned 360,000 square meters, with 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. Of these, 186 companies and institutions were “full-timers,” attending all seven expos, reflecting global confidence in China's economic development and the allure of its large market. The national exhibition featured 77 countries and international organizations from across five continents, covering an area of 30,000 square meters. Each country and organization creatively integrated cultural and technological elements, organizing over 200 captivating events that highlighted their rich histories and unique strengths across various sectors.

Exhibitors introduced 450 new products, technologies, and services, including over 100 global premieres, 40 Asia debuts, and 200 China first-showcases, fueling the “debut economy” and injecting fresh momentum into consumer demand. In the Technical Equipment Pavilion, the AI section displayed cutting-edge innovations in humanoid robots, AI language models, cloud computing, human-computer interaction, and metaverse applications, showcasing the forefront of global AI advancements.

The CIIE's role as a platform for international procurement and investment promotion has never been stronger. A total of 39 government trade delegations and four industry trade delegations attracted over 430,000 registered professionals, a 4% increase from the previous year. Nearly 50 trade and investment promotion events were held, while the online sourcing hub and digital CIIE platform hosted 12,000 procurement listings to facilitate early buyer-supplier connections.

The national exhibition allowed exhibitors and attendees from around the world to engage in friendly exchanges and procurement discussions, presenting a colorful array of products. Thai jasmine rice, Polish wool clothing, Zimbabwean baobab oil, and other specialties from various countries showcased the appeal of traveling the world in one place. Exhibitors were eager to share, saying, “We want to bring our best, latest, and coolest products to CIIE.” This success is fueled by China's growing openness and its vast consumer market of 1.4 billion people, including over 400 million middle-income consumers.

Each national pavilion boasted unique attractions:

- **France Pavilion**: Replicas of classic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge windmill immersed visitors in a romantic French atmosphere.

- **Malaysia Pavilion**: Staff livestreamed to promote local specialties like Musang King durians and white coffee, which were highly popular. The director of the pavilion remarked on the “magnetic pull” of CIIE and China's impressive purchasing power, with Musang King durian ice cream from Durian Brother Ltd. being especially well-received.

- **Syria Pavilion**: A Syrian travel agency warmly invited Chinese visitors to explore Syria, highlighting the country's government support for tourism growth.

- **Nicaragua Pavilion**: Local tourism representatives distributed brochures to Chinese visitors, inviting them to experience Nicaraguan culture and products.

- **Iran Pavilion**: A feature wall displayed the country's natural products, like hollyhocks, hibiscus, and echinacea extracts used in fragrant oils, conveying Iran's “Gifts from Nature” theme and showcasing its beauty and wellness products. Staff expressed gratitude for the CIIE as a platform to display Iran's cultural allure.

- **Trinidad and Tobago Pavilion**: The distinctive steelpan drums captured visitors' interest with their ability to mimic a variety of musical sounds. Pavilion representatives hoped the steelpan would spark the interest of Chinese musicians and instrument manufacturers, enhancing trade between the two nations.

Among the 111 activities, aside from 25 policy-focused events, nearly 90 investment promotions, matchmaking, and contract signing events offered rich business opportunities. Many exhibitors secured orders or established strategic partnerships through the CIIE. According to organizers, the expo generated an estimated $80.1 billion in one-year intentional deals, a 2% increase over the previous expo.

The CIIE's success continues to resonate beyond its conclusion. As of November 6, a total of 80 companies and institutions have already signed up for the 8th CIIE, reserving nearly 50,000 square meters of exhibition space.