How the CIIE Highlights China's Long-Term Commitment to Opening-Up and Development

Par Xi An

The 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on Nov. 5 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in east China's Shanghai.

Now in its 9th year, the CIIE continues to demonstrate its strong appeal, with several key indicators, including exhibition scale, quality, and participation, reaching new highs.

A total of 162 countries, regions, and international organizations are taking part in the 9th CIIE, which has attracted 4,142 overseas exhibitors. The total exhibition area has exceeded 440,000 square meters for the first time, while the number of Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders participating has surpassed 300.

By gathering for this annual event, the international community is expressing its confidence in China.

One of the reasons the CIIE has continued to retain its appeal over the years is its commitment to long-term development.

A long-term vision means staying committed to doing the right things amid uncertainty.

The CIIE has consistently sent a clear message to the world: China remains committed to stable cooperation and shared development over the long term. This sense of certainty is built on the joint efforts and shared commitment of the host country, exhibitors, and other stakeholders.

First, China remains firmly committed to sharing opportunities with the world.

Over the years, the CIIE has been held as scheduled, consistently championing cooperation and opening-up. The first eight editions have delivered remarkable results in opening-up, attracting more than 180 countries, regions, and international organizations. Overseas exhibitors have made about 27,000 appearances at its business exhibitions.

More than 3,400 representative new products, technologies, and services have made their debuts at the expo. The CIIE has become a platform for advancing high-level opening-up and an international public good shared by the world.

"The Chinese market is such a big one that you should all come and see what it has to offer." This remark made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the second CIIE is a promise that China has continued to uphold year after year.

Second, foreign enterprises have enduring confidence in the Chinese market.

This year, 169 companies and 30 overseas exhibition organizers mark their 9th consecutive participation in the CIIE. Their confidence stems not only from their past success in the Chinese market, but also from their expectations for China's long-term development prospects. Many have been deeply rooted in China for decades.

The advantages of the Chinese market that continue to attract them to expand their investment have long shifted from cost advantages to innovation-driven growth.

The CIIE serves as a window for foreign enterprises to observe the Chinese market and a platform for connecting with local industries. Integration and joint development have become increasingly important to the growth strategies of foreign enterprises in China.

For Global South countries and small and medium-sized enterprises, the CIIE has demonstrated the vast possibilities offered by China's enormous market.

From starting with a booth of just a few square meters to securing exhibition space spanning dozens of square meters and eventually opening physical stores, the inspiring stories of exhibitors of Peruvian alpaca products, Syrian traditional soaps, and other goods have encouraged more businesses to move beyond short-term participation toward long-term operations in China.

Third, the CIIE continues to evolve and improve.

Over its first eight editions, the CIIE has kept pace with industrial development, technological advances, and people's needs. Its exhibition areas have become increasingly specialized, while the exhibition experience has become smoother and business matchmaking more efficient. The platform's functions have become more comprehensive.

The 9th CIIE has introduced further measures. The three brand activities, namely "Shop in China," "Export to China," and "Invest in China," are brought together to reinforce one another.

For the first time, a handbook of facilitation measures for the 9th CIIE has been compiled, covering issues of particular concern to businesses, including trade, investment, customs, and taxation. A number of pilot measures, including a preferred cross-border e-commerce platform and reduced fees for oversized cargo transportation, are being introduced at the expo.

Support and services for the six major exhibition areas of the Business Exhibition have expanded beyond basic booth operations to cover more aspects of the exhibition process, providing greater convenience and added value for exhibitors and visitors alike. The CIIE itself has become a testing ground for opening-up policies.

Fourth, the CIIE's spillover effects continue to grow in scope and depth.

The CIIE has not only provided a platform for first-time exhibitions and product launches, but also helped foster the debut economy and turn facilitation measures for the expo into regular policies.

In addition to introducing new products and technologies, the expo also promotes supply chain integration, industrial chain extension, and improvements to rules and institutions.

The commitment to ensuring the continued success of the CIIE has been incorporated into China's top-level planning, providing institutional support for the platform's functions. The CIIE has evolved from an annual exhibition into a regular institutional arrangement and long-term policy instrument under China's national opening-up strategy.

"The CIIE, which will be held on an annual basis, will feature good performance, fruitful results, and continued success in the years to come." Xi's remark at the opening ceremony of the first CIIE reflects China's firm resolve and long-term vision to advance high-level opening-up.