Nikon views China as both valued client and crucial partner

Nikon's Executive Vice President Masato Hamatani emphasized the importance of China to its company, saying that is not just a valued client, but an important partner at the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.

The Japanese optics and photographic equipment manufacturer showcased its latest achievements across nine sectors at the 7th CIIE, including precision instruments, industrial solutions, glass materials, healthcare, and imaging products.

Hamatani highly valued the opportunities brought up by the expo.

"This year marks our fourth participation in the expo. From our first involvement, I felt the strong reactions created by the CIIE. Many divisions, including semiconductor lithography, life sciences, and imaging, received numerous inquiries from Chinese customers. We highly value this platform and hope to enhance our connections with clients," said Hamatani.

At the expo this year, Nikon unveiled its latest product -- a digital lithography machine, which was launched at the end of October, to meet the rising demand for semiconductors amid the widespread of artificial intelligence technologies and the development of data centers.

As Nikon's main products, including cameras, microscopes, and semiconductor devices, gradually enter into the Chinese market, about 20 percent of its sale are generated from China, making the country one of Nikon's most important markets, according to Hamatani, adding that China is not just a client, but also a crucial manufacturing partner.

"We do not just import from China. We set up a factory in Jiangsu Province to produce microscopes and related accessories, which are exported to other parts of the world. By doing so, we want to deepen the relations with the Chinese market," said Hamatani.

The CIIE is the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports. The six-day expo has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

Nikon views China as both valued client and crucial partner

Military delegates from Thailand and Cambodia convened a meeting at the Thai side of the border in Chanthaburi province on Wednesday to prepare for formal talks regarding a ceasefire and monitoring mechanisms along their disputed border.

The secretariat-level meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) began at the Ban Phak Kat permanent checkpoint. At around 16:25 local time, the Cambodian delegation arrived for a half-hour preliminary discussion.

Speaking to reporters after the session, GBC Secretary for the Thai side Nuttapong Praokaew stated that the initial talks focused on setting the agenda for a full-delegation meeting scheduled for 09:00 on Thursday.

Both sides have already exchanged their respective standpoints, Natthaphong noted.

In this meeting, both parties will discuss and exchange documents to prepare for the upcoming 3rd Special GBC meeting, which is scheduled to be held on December 27, 2025, in order to ensure the cessation of hostilities and find solutions to restore stability between the two countries, as well as to facilitate a swift return to normalcy, said Cambodian Ministry of Defense's Undersecretary of State and spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata.

Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said earlier on Wednesday that the secretariat meeting would take place from Wednesday to Friday.

If these preliminary discussions proceed smoothly, they will be followed by a meeting between the defense ministers of both nations on Saturday, he told a press briefing.

Surasant noted that clashes between the two sides are still ongoing, having already resulted in the deaths of 23 Thai soldiers. As of 08:00 on Wednesday, 42 Thai civilians had been killed and 13 injured in the multi-day conflict.

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict has reignited since Dec. 7, and both sides have accused the other of initiating the attack.

Thailand, Cambodia start General Border Committee secretariat meeting amid ongoing clashes