About 80 percent of the planned Food and Agricultural Products exhibition area has been booked for the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), said event organizers at a pre-expo supply and demand matchmaking event on Thursday.
At the matchmaking event, more than 20 dairy and agricultural product exhibitors demonstrated their products, and talked with potential clients, including food processing companies, and e-commerce and supermarket buyers to better understand the market demands.
Yu Zhiqiong, a representative of the Agricultural Products Special Committee of the CIIE Exhibitor Alliance, said the organizer is also planning to introduce some of the world-renowned food festivals to Chinese companies and customers during the CIIE to further stimulate consumption.
"We are planning to bring some international food festivals to China, such as France's bread festival. This would allow Chinese companies and consumers to experience international food culture," she said.
The seventh CIIE is scheduled to be held in China's Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. The preparation work is now underway.
80 pct of CIIE food, agricultural products exhibition area booked
Ninety pct of CIIE food, agricultural products exhibition area booked
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
