Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca present at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for eight consecutive years has shifted itself from an exhibitor to an investor in the Chinese market, with its innovative products benefiting more Chinese consumers through the event, according to senior executives of the company.
AstraZeneca is highlighting its commitment to China with a 1,000 square meter booth in the medical and healthcare section at the 8th CIIE, which will open in Shanghai on Wednesday.
Running from November 5 to 10, this year's CIIE sets new records with over 4,100 exhibitors across more than 430,000 square meters.
At this year's CIIE, visitors can experience the company's latest innovation, an AR-enabled diagnostic tool that offers animated guidance, simulating a doctor assisting with real-time health assessments.
"We've moved from being sort of an exhibitioner to a keen investor. And what I love about working in China and what's really evident in CIIE is just that high level of real deep connection and collaboration between the multinational companies and all levels of government," said Tony Pusic, senior vice-president of global operations at AstraZeneca.
Since debuting a key product at the first CIIE in 2018, AstraZeneca has achieved wide access to more than 7,000 hospitals across China, with cumulative imports surpassing 100 million U.S. dollars. Among seven cutting-edge products unveiled last year, one has already received approval in the rare disease treatment field.
The continuous improvement of business environment is attracting sustained investment from enterprises including AstraZeneca.
"I think the high-level opening up has really given a lot of advantages. Some specific policy changes have been very helpful. For example, the innovation in R and D policy opening up. We also have some streamlined regulatory process improvements, which actually shorten the timeline for regulatory approvals, which is very important for us," said Pusic.
The company's eight-year CIIE journey tracks a transformation from trading pharmaceuticals and medical devices to embedding local rearch and development. In March 2025, AstraZeneca announced an investment of 2.5 billion U.S. dollars to establish its sixth global strategic R and D center in Beijing.
"I think there are two key trends that stand out in my view. One is clearly scientific innovation, and I believe that China -- and Beijing [in particular] -- definitely will continue leading and representing really the global hub for science and innovation. On top of that, I think there's clearly added [value] in what digital technology and AI can do to contribute and accelerate science and innovation here. The second big trend that I see really accelerating, as mentioned, is common [public] health, and we want to be part of that trend," said Iskra Reic, AstraZeneca's executive vice president, international.
At this year's expo, AstraZeneca is expected to announce new expansion plans, another sign of its long-term confidence in China as a global innovation and production base.
CIIE witnesses AstraZeneca's shift from exhibitor to investor
