As the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) draws near, organizers had basically wrapped up the six-day event's preparatory work by Saturday, with the construction of all exhibition booths completed.
Scheduled for Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai, the 7th CIIE features an exhibition area of over 420,000 square meters. Inside the venue, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), booth construction and exhibit arrangement have come to an end.
This year's expo will see participation of 77 countries and international organizations in national pavilions, along with nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions in the business exhibition, both higher than the numbers of last year.
More than 400 state-of-the-art products, technologies, and services will be showcased in various exhibition areas, including those that will debut at the event. Over 400,000 professional visitors had signed up for the event by Saturday.
"The seventh CIIE has attracted a record 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders. China's super-large market is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign businesses. This year, we will further enhance on-site service support to offer exhibitors and participants high-level comprehensive services," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director of the China International Import Expo Bureau.
The exhibition also coincides with the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. More than 8,000 registered guests and over 260 speakers will attend the main forum and 19 sub-forums and other related events.
Launched in 2018, the CIIE is the world's first import-themed national-level expo.
Preparation work for 7th China International Import Expo completes
Preparation work for 7th China International Import Expo completes
Romania's Constitutional Court has rejected a petition by presidential candidate Cristian Terhes to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election, paving the way for a potential second-round vote next Sunday.
The decision comes amid heightened political tensions, with results from Sunday's parliamentary elections revealing no clear majority for any party, further complicating the country's political landscape.
The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver a final ruling on Tuesday, which will determine whether the second round of the presidential election proceeds as planned. If confirmed, the runoff is likely to deepen Romania's already pronounced political divisions.
Despite failing to secure first place in the parliamentary elections, there was optimism at the headquarters of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), where supporters celebrated what leader George Simion called a "vindication" and a "victory for the right." Simion's party has gained significant momentum, reflecting growing disenchantment with Romania's traditional political establishment.
Meanwhile, the mood was more subdued at the headquarters of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD). Leaders acknowledged the challenges ahead, with the party facing difficulty forming a new coalition government without making significant policy concessions. Negotiations are expected to be arduous and could prolong the political uncertainty.
For supporters of the progressive Save Romania Union (USR), the timing of the elections has been a source of frustration. Romania's decision to hold parliamentary elections between the two rounds of the presidential vote has drawn criticism for creating confusion and limiting the time for proper debate.
"I think it was a bad experiment from the side of the government to hold parliamentary elections between the two rounds of the presidential elections, because it creates a lot of confusion and chaos and parliamentary elections deserve much more debate," said Alina Girbea, a USR supporter.
The USR's candidate is seen as particularly vulnerable to voter fatigue, with some fearing that holding three elections in two weeks may hurt turnout among their base.
The parliamentary vote also underscored the growing influence of far-right and nationalist rhetoric in Romania. Calin Gorgescu, a candidate known for his anti-NATO and anti-EU stance, performed strongly, with more than 2 million Romanians voting for far-right candidates.
Political consultant Raul Olajos sees this as a reflection of deep dissatisfaction with establishment parties.
"We have to recognize that more than 2 million Romanians voted for a far-right candidate who has a strong popular support. After all, the reality is that (many) Romanians are not satisfied at all with the traditional establishment Romanian parties," he said.
As Romania heads toward a likely second round of the presidential election, the political landscape remains fractured. The results of both the parliamentary and presidential votes highlight the country's deep divides, with no easy path to consensus.
The next week will be pivotal for Romania's future, as the Constitutional Court's final decision and subsequent coalition talks could shape the nation's political direction for years to come.
Romania faces political uncertainty as court rejects presidential candidate’s petition
