CIIE serves as key platform to explore Chinese market potential: Swiss ambassador

China

CIIE serves as key platform to explore Chinese market potential: Swiss ambassador

2024-11-07 11:44 Last Updated At：12:07

The ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves as an important platform for foreign businesses to enter and expand their presence in the Chinese market, Swiss Ambassador to China Jurg Burri told the China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday while visiting Swiss exhibitors at the expo. This year marks Switzerland's seventh consecutive participation in the CIIE, with nearly 80 Swiss companies showcasing their products, a record high.

The Swiss pavilion exhibits a broad range of items, from food and beverages to high-end intelligent manufacturing.

In addition to well-known global brands, the pavilion also features over a dozen Swiss small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are attending the CIIE for the first time and hoping to tap into the vast Chinese market.

The ambassador spent over four hours visiting more than 20 Swiss exhibitors, both multinationals and SMEs.

He took the time to learn about their operations and growth plans in China.

Burri emphasized that the CIIE, one of the world's largest trade expos, has served as a key platform for foreign companies to enter the Chinese market and share China's development opportunities.

"The CIIE is the CIIE. It's one of the biggest fairs in the world and I am particularly happy here today because it's so successful for Switzerland. There are the big, established Swiss companies who have [their] own factories in China and big production. They take the CIIE for what it is - a good place to meet local governments, good customers and so on," he said.

Since Nov 1, the 2024 version of the negative list for foreign investment access has been implemented, lifting restrictions on foreign investment in China's manufacturing sector.

The move offers new opportunities for Swiss SMEs which are looking forward to expanding their businesses in the Chinese market.

"This is definitely a tremendous commercial opportunity for us Swiss healthcare SMEs. The opening up of relevant industries means we now have the chance to directly engage in production and research and development [in China]," said a CIIE exhibitor.

Official data showed that China is Switzerland's largest trading partner in Asia. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between the two countries reached 40.73 billion U.S. dollars, a 23.8-percent increase from the previous year, significantly outperforming the trade growth between China and other major European economies.

The ambassador hoped that the ongoing negotiations to upgrade the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement will further enhance bilateral trade and investment and strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.

He also visited the live studio of the China Media Group (CMG) at the expo.

Running from Tuesday to Sunday under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

Zeman defends National Security Law after Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has "never been better" and is thriving under the National Security Law, with the legislation helping stabilize the city, according to Allen Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group.

The High Court of the HKSAR on Monday sentenced former newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, after considering his "serious and grave criminal conduct." Lai was found guilty on two charges of conspiring to collude with external forces and one charge of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. The court ruled that Lai was "the mastermind and driving force behind these conspiracies."

Zeman spoke to China Global Television Network (CGTN) after the sentencing.

He stressed that Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity have improved since the law's introduction.

"I say that those people don't know what they're talking about, because I can say what I want up to a point. It's the same as most countries, you know, but you can't collude with a foreign government against your country, wherever that is. The National Security Law, I've read so many of them, and I can tell you it's not done. It's not allowed. It's a crime," he said.

"In Hong Kong, [it's] the same thing, we get behind one leader. We all work together. And the people's lives have gotten better and better. Hong Kong right now is thriving. Hong Kong has never been better at the moment. The National Security Law really helped Hong Kong to stabilize," said Zeman.

On Hong Kong's future, Zeman said the city will remain a global marketplace and a vital connector between the Chinese mainland and the world. He pointed to Hong Kong’s low tax base and strong financial infrastructure as key advantages.

"People trust Hong Kong. It has a low tax base, free flow of capital in and out. In most countries, it's not exactly like that. You know, there's restrictions and all that. In Hong Kong, you can have the money come in and out, low tax of 15 percent, one of the lowest taxes in the world as well. And that kind of gives Hong Kong the stability. And most companies who want to go into China set up their head office in Hong Kong. We have all the top banks in Hong Kong. Last year and this year again, we've had about almost 300 conventions and exhibitions in the Hong Kong convention center and from countries all over the world. Everybody comes here now, because they see it's really the marketplace of the world. I've been here a long time. It's always been good, but it's never been as good as it is now," said Zeman.