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

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"