Hainan expo showcases China's huge market potential to int'l envoys, business leaders

The ongoing fourth China International Consumer Products Expo has demonstrated the country's huge market potential and deeply impressed multinational business leaders and international envoys to China.

The expo, which started Saturday in Haikou, capital of China's southern island province of Hainan, will run until April 18, and has drawn over 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions.

At the first supply-demand matchmaking event of the expo, a total of 60 companies from 12 countries and regions worldwide conducted heated negotiations with over 80 global buyers, and reached 92 cooperation intentions in fields including mobile phones, food, health products, and handicrafts.

"We've just gained our official type of approval, which means we can import the phones into China with completely all of the legalities completed, and this is the moment to expand. So, this is absolutely perfect for us. And the size of this exhibition, and the kind of people we are meeting here, are exceptional," said Hutch Hutchison, co-founder of the XOR, a UK luxury phone maker.

Countries including the United Kingdom and Malaysia are participating in the exhibition in national pavilions for the first time, and has brought representative products in clothing, cosmetics, and jewelry.

"It is a huge consumer market, a market that is growing, so it is of great interest to all UK companies. So, we definitely want to find more cooperation with Chinese companies, some of these brands are new to Chinese market, and some want to grow further in the market," said Sohail Shaikh, UK's Deputy HM Trade Commissioner for China.

In addition to well-known multinational firms, small and medium-sized enterprises from Italy, the UK, Canada, Japan, and Malaysia have also participated in the expo to increase their visibility to Chinese consumers and expand their understanding to the vast Chinese market.

"We have some who are new to the Chinese market, companies that have arrived here. So there are always new opportunities, including in areas like green development, and retail, and financial services. I think they all hope that they can all find new market opportunities in China and in the Asia-Pacific region," said Sarah Mann, British Consul General in Guangzhou.

Many multinational companies have always been optimistic about the Chinese market, especially the e-commerce market, and expanding the business in China has become the consensus of these firms, according to international envoys to China.

"We celebrate the 60th anniversary between France and China, so we use a special label to promote this cooperation. Important market. China is the second biggest market for French companies exporting, and we have many companies coming to this market," said Xavier Chatte-Ruols, commercial consul of French Consulate General in Shanghai.

"People were talking about China, the importance of China, the second largest economy in the world, our second largest trade partner. This is a very dynamic relationship, with lots of potential, lots of growth. And also very excited about the online commerce. You already noticed that China has the biggest online commerce market in the world, about half of the e-commerce happens in China. So, we are very excited about that Canada is also a leader in technologies, we are looking at the opportunities here, bringing Canadian know-hows and Canadian brands with our trusted high quality to Chinese consumers in this area," said Behzad Babakhani, Consul General of Canada in Guangzhou.

Hainan expo showcases China's huge market potential to int'l envoys, business leaders

The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.

During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.

The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.

David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.

"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.

Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.

The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.

"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.

Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.

"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.

Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange