The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), entering its fourth day on Friday, has held 102 side events including business matchmaking sessions, investment promotion activities, and numerous forums geared toward strengthening international collaboration and economic engagement.
Since the expo's opening, procurement and investment signings have been taking the center stage, with Chinese and international participants eagerly forging new partnerships. Among the highlights, China's central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) trade delegation, National Health Commission delegation, and local trade delegations have organized 86 major signing events, landing nearly 600 cooperation agreements.
The central SOEs have achieved a record-high total intended transaction amount at the CIIE, with agreements encompassing a diverse range of sectors, including advanced technology, artificial intelligence, high-end components, and natural gas.
In addition to procurement and trade activities, this year's CIIE has convened the main Hongqiao International Economic Forum, themed "High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization," as well as various sub-forums, roundtable discussions, meetings with foreign enterprises, and "Invest in China" promotion events
The CIIE is also facilitating connections between visiting business representatives and exhibitors through a 'group tour' service. Over 4,800 attendees have engaged with approximately 1,900 exhibitors via more than 280 organized group tours.
Running from November 5 to 10, the 7th CIIE has attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions.
CIIE hosts over 100 side events to strengthen collaboration
CIIE hosts over 100 side events to strengthen collaboration
U.S. stocks finished slightly higher on Monday, staging a late-session recovery as investors navigated a volatile landscape marked by a criminal probe into the Federal Reserve leadership.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 86.13 points, or 0.17 percent, to 49,590.2. The S&P 500 added 10.99 points, or 0.16 percent, to 6,977.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 62.56 points, or 0.26 percent, to 23,733.9. Despite the positive close, the market experienced significant intraday turbulence, with the Dow dropping nearly 500 points at its session lows.
Nine of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in positive territory. Consumer staples and industrials led the gainers, rising 1.42 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively. Financials and energy were the primary laggards, declining 0.8 percent and 0.66 percent.
Market sentiment was initially shaken by an announcement on Sunday from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who confirmed that federal prosecutors are investigating him over the Fed's multi-billion-dollar project to renovate its headquarters. Powell characterized the probe as an attempt by the Trump administration to compromise the Fed's independence.
Further weighing on the financial sector was a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to cap credit card interest rates at 10 percent for one year, which triggered a sell-off in banking stocks amid concerns over restricted lending and reduced profitability. Capital One shares plummeted 6.42 percent, while Citigroup, JPMorgan and Bank of America also recorded losses.
In contrast, retail giant Walmart led the Dow's advance, climbing 3 percent following news of its upcoming inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Google's Gemini AI to enhance the digital shopping experience.
Investors are awaiting Tuesday's release of the U.S. consumer price index for December 2025. Following last week's cooling labor market data, market participants increasingly expect the Fed to maintain interest rates at their current levels during the upcoming January meeting.
U.S. stocks close higher amid criminal probe into Fed chair Powell
