A promotional event for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday to boost trade between the two countries as companies increasingly seek alternatives to the U.S. market.
The event brought together close to 100 participants, including Portuguese politicians, business leaders, and Chinese representatives, to explore fresh opportunities for economic and trade collaboration amid global challenges.
Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang highlighted that China has maintained its position as Portugal's largest trading partner in Asia for several consecutive years. He emphasized the enormous potential for cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, health, and tourism while pointing to technological innovation, the digital economy, and sustainable development as new pillars of pragmatic Chinese-Portuguese collaboration.
The ambassador also urged Portuguese companies to learn more about the CIIE, actively participate in the fair and take advantage of the platform to expand exports to China, seizing the vast opportunities in the Chinese market.
"Trade between China and Portugal continued to grow very fast. One reason is that Portugal values the hug Chinese market, and the other is that the Chinese market also needs Portugal's high-quality and high-level products. For example, half of Portugal's black pork exports go to the Chinese market," said Zhao.
Building on a history of centuries of cooperation, China-Portugal trade totaled about 10 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 and is growing.
The CIIE is the first and largest trade fair dedicated to promoting imports into China. Now, in its eighth edition, the CIIE aims to broaden its global reach and further open the Chinese market to the world.
This year's fair from Nov 5-10 in Shanghai offers a particularly unique opportunity as both Chinese and international companies seek alternatives in response to the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs.
"The companies that used to export part of their production to the USA, they obviously are a little bit scared. It's only a 10 percent increase for the time being, but the confidence is already affected, and so they are looking for alternatives, and we have been spontaneously contacted by multiple companies [that want] to know how to enter the Chinese market," said Bernardo Mexia, secretary-general of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The CIIE aims to do just that, positioning itself as a gateway for startups and small to medium-sized companies to access China's 1.4 billion consumers who are eager to discover Portuguese products.
Dozens of Portuguese companies joined last year's CIIE in Shanghai, and many more are expected to attend this year, especially after promotional events like this.
"Food companies, there are some strong companies in Portugal that have capacity to export, both in quality and in quantity to China, for example, the wine companies. It's the most important example, but there are other business sectors that are starting to appear like tech companies, companies that are involved in the auto industry," said Miguel Braz, business development manager of Perfeicao Group, a CIIE strategic partner in Portugal.
In 2010, China's import value stood at around 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars, whereas in 2024, it brought forth approximately 2.5 trillion U.S. dollars worth of imported commodities.
Promotional event for 8th China International Import Expo held in Portugal
Promotional event for 8th China International Import Expo held in Portugal
