Experts believe that over the years, the China International Import Expo has become more than just a trade show, but also a public good, reflecting China's commitment to openness and multilateralism.

BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- With a record number of international exhibitors, the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) stands as a resounding vote of foreign companies' confidence in China's economy, highlighting the country's expanding role as a stabilizer and driver of global trade and its commitment to openness, innovation and international collaboration.

For many companies, the expo is not just about tapping into China's vast consumer base, but also about connecting with the country's rapidly advancing technological ecosystem. China's advanced capacity in sectors like AI, green energy and medical technology presents new opportunities for innovation-driven partnerships.

Experts believe that over the years, the expo has become more than just a trade show, but also a public good, reflecting China's commitment to openness and multilateralism. By offering concrete mechanisms, the event reduces market entry barriers and fosters win-win cooperation between foreign and Chinese businesses.

GATEWAY TO GROWTH

Despite global uncertainties, the expo continues to attract a record number of international exhibitors, reflecting the unwavering belief in China as a key growth market.

For Jean-Jacques de Dardel, president of the Board of Swiss Centers Group and former Swiss ambassador to China, the expo is a crucial gateway for Swiss companies seeking growth in China.

This year, Swiss Centers brought together more than 25 Swiss firms at the expo, with its booth in the food and agricultural products section covering 290 square meters, marking its largest presence.

"We were the ones to represent Switzerland and push for a strong Swiss presence there. And we like to see this growing," he said.

Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, is leading a U.S. soy delegation at the expo, participating in agricultural forums and engaging directly with buyers at the U.S. pavilion.

A total of 13 U.S. agricultural commodity groups -- covering soybeans, corn, dairy and meat sectors -- are exhibiting together to showcase the quality, sustainability and reliability of American farm products, he said.

China remains our "most irreplaceable customer," he said. "We have been in China since 1982. Over the past 43 years, we've invested in relationship-building, training and cooperation with the Chinese industry to create mutual trust."

A business delegation of more than 500 representatives from 57 companies, led by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), is participating in the expo. Of the participants, 18 companies are first-time attendees, while 39 are returning exhibitors.

"Despite global headwinds, China remains a growth market for Singapore companies. The CIIE continues to serve as an important platform for Singapore businesses to engage Chinese and international buyers, reflecting growing confidence and sustained interest in the Chinese market," the SBF said in a press release.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the 8th CIIE has set a new record in scale, attracting the participation from 155 countries, regions and international organizations, with 4,108 overseas exhibitors and a total exhibition area of over 430,000 square meters.

"This is a clear vote of confidence in the Chinese economy and a show of strong support for the CIIE from all parties involved," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau.

MORE THAN MARKET

Many companies choose to exhibit at the expo because they recognize China's immense market potential. For others, however, their participation is driven not only by market opportunities but also by China's growing innovation and technological prowess.

"The Chinese market overall is growing fast, so it remains a top destination for many of our products and a top interest for many of our companies, especially in some fields, like med tech manufacturing at a high level," said De Dardel.

For Scott Franklyn, co-founder of Talentail Australia, the CIIE is the best platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the huge Chinese market, as well as to connect with people from other parts of the world who visit this important event in huge numbers.

"We believe that participating in CIIE is the highest-level endorsement for international brands to enter the Chinese market," he said. "CIIE helps us build trust, expand channels and accumulate industry resources in the Chinese market, playing a crucial role in promoting our continuous business expansion in China."

Data shows that over the past seven years, the event has featured approximately 3,000 new products, technologies and services, while also facilitating over 1,100 foreign-funded enterprises and investment promotion agencies in conducting targeted matchmaking activities across China.

As China continues to make great strides in fields such as AI, green energy and digital transformation, many companies are also eager to engage with China's cutting-edge advancements, collaborate on technological development, and tap into the country's rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

At this year's expo, Siemens Healthineers AG is making its largest-ever appearance, presenting the Asia debut of its ultrafast spectral angiography system, ARTIS icono ceiling Xpand. The system can detect tiny tumors quickly, incorporating AI technologies for more personalized cancer treatment.

China plays a pivotal role in Siemens Healthineers' global strategy and has become an integral part of Siemens Healthineers' global network in both production and research, said Bernd Montag, CEO of Siemens Healthineers AG.

Montag cited its Shenzhen team as an example, noting their role in developing key components for MRI systems used worldwide. "This shows that China's contribution to innovation is no longer just local -- it's an integral part of global innovation," he said.

A PUBLIC GOOD

Over the years, the expo has served as a unique platform for fostering collaboration and mutual benefit between Chinese and foreign businesses, becoming "a global public good" in international trade, as experts have noted.

The CIIE is "a global public good" in international trade, which helps improve the business environment and foster win-win cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises, said Tolonbek Abdyrov, a professor of economics and vice rector of the International Higher School of Medicine in Kyrgyzstan.

"Against the backdrop of weak global growth, China has placed its emphasis on high-level opening-up -- not in slogans, but in concrete rules that actually reduce the cost of market entry," said Abdyrov.

The expo provides a platform for dialogue and exchange, and many partnerships start here before evolving into concrete collaborative projects, said Jacopo Vicini, deputy mayor for economic development, tourism, events and congresses for Florence, Italy.

"With its strong capacity to attract investment and facilitate exchanges, China is expected to play a key role in fostering a more balanced globalization based on sustainability, innovation and mutual respect," he said.

Cambodia had taken part in the CIIE since its inception in 2018, setting up a Cambodian National Pavilion to showcase premium products and services to Chinese and international consumers and exhibitors.

"The CIIE has provided a unique opportunity for foreign enterprises to display their potential products and services to Chinese customers, business people and investors," said Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat.

"This international trade event has truly reflected China's unwavering commitment to promoting global trade and multilateralism and to opening the Chinese market broader to the world," Sovicheat said.

According to official data, the previous seven expos have cumulatively attracted 23,000 overseas exhibitors, resulting in an intended transaction volume totaling over 500 billion U.S. dollars.

Over the years, the expo has grown in stature, facilitating global products' entry into the Chinese market and promoting coordinated regional growth worldwide, said Sergei Vergeichik, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies, noting that mutual benefit is at the core of the event and similar Chinese initiatives.

"China not only focuses on its own progress but also creates opportunities for others -- that's true win-win," he said.

(Video reporters: Zhou Yang, Zhao Xiaoqing, Hong Ling, Li Hengyi, Di Chun, Ding Ting, Chen Jie, Zhang Mengjie, Meng Na, Sun Qing; video editors: Yang Zeyi, Roger Lott, Zhu Cong, Cao Ying)■