Foreign exhibitors laud CIIE for boosting business, enhancing industry collaborations

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Executives from various multinational companies at the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) have praised the event for providing a platform to enhance business prospects and foster collaborations with diverse industries in China.   Michele Ginocchietti, general manager of high-end professional solutions at EssilorLuxottica China, credits the CIIE with propelling the multinational eyewear giant's global success. The expo served as the launchpad for their groundbreaking myopia control product four years ago.

"CIIE is very important for our company, because we believe this is a far-reaching platform to showcase innovations, new technology. It allows us to deepen the partnership with industry leaders and industry players. As an old friend of the CIIE, EssilorLuxottica is expecting great results from this year's edition," Ginocchietti said.   Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of Pfizer China, underscored the company's dedication to introducing top-tier products to China while enhancing strategic partnerships within the pharmaceutical industry in the country.   "Partnership is our new strategy, where we really want to accelerate strategic partnership with the local industry. One of the examples, we just signed an MoU with Shanghai Pharma to launch a strategic partnership on a vaccine," Pointeau said.   Moreover, Seema Simmons, vice president of global women's running and fitness at Nike, shared her optimism for the dynamic Chinese sports market, as the global brand works to expand running culture in China.   "In China, it's really exciting to see the overall growth in sport, I think in part with the government's focus on a healthy lifestyle. We have had a long partnership with China and we're excited to continue to grow the sport of running in China, and it's a very important market. We're excited to make sure that we serve runners in China," Simmons said.   The seventh CIIE, which runs from Tuesday to Sunday in Shanghai, has brought together 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions to showcase their products and technology this year. 

The event also marks a significant milestone with the participation of 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading industry players from around the world.

Foreign exhibitors laud CIIE for boosting business, enhancing industry collaborations

A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.

The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.

"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.

The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.

"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.

"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.

Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.

This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.

Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit