8th CIIE to explore ways for world to share development opportunities

The 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a key component of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), will explore ways for other countries to share the opportunities brought by China's opening up, said an expert on Friday.

The 8th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10 this year, with a 100-day countdown to the event starting on Sunday.

According to a press conference held by the event’s organizers on Friday, during the CIIE, the Hongqiao Forum will continue to release the latest World Openness Index as part of the annual World Openness Report.

Various special forums and activities will focus on topics such as revitalizing multilateral cooperation, digital empowerment, green and sustainable, and wider opening up of China.

"More importantly, this forum identifies future development opportunities, including digital intelligence empowerment, green development, and wider opening up of China. It enables us to be aware that within such an open system, we can cultivate new growth points, and that through the development of new production capacity, countries around the world can share in these advancements," said Qu Jian, vice president of China Development Institute (CDI).

More than 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their presence in the comprehensive national exhibition area of this year’s expo, with Sweden and the United Arab Emirates serving as guest countries of honor, and with Kyrgyzstan participating for the first time, according to the organizers.

Meanwhile, 60 overseas exhibitor groups from 40 countries and regions have also inked their participation.

The contracted exhibition area for corporate business has exceeded 330,000 square meters, featuring six major sections and a special section for innovation incubation.

Organizers also announced that this year’s expo will feature a special area for products from the least developed countries for the first time and will further expand and upgrade the original African product area.

Pre-expo matchmaking events for exhibitors and buyers in the exhibition areas for food and agricultural products as well as medical equipment and healthcare products were also held in Shanghai on Friday. Over 300 buyers and exhibitors engaged in close communication to seize opportunities, explore markets and discuss cooperation.

Several companies have also signed contracts for their participation in the 9th edition of the CIIE.

8th CIIE to explore ways for world to share development opportunities

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.

The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.

The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.

The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.

The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges