8th CIIE to open in Shanghai with hundreds of new exhibits on display

The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to open in Shanghai on Wednesday, with all preparations complete for a showcase of global innovation, featuring 461 new products, technologies, and services.

This year's expo has attracted 290 Fortune 500 companies and prominent industry leaders. Among the participants are the world's top 10 industrial electrical firms and the four major global grain traders, alongside numerous companies from specialized sectors that will exhibit innovative products for the first time.

Among these exhibitors, the Swiss leading elevator manufacturer, Schindler, is ready to show its smart escalator system with advanced safety features.

"When a passenger fall is detected, the system will automatically reduce the escalator's speed to 50 percent of its original rate, or lower, until the passenger safely exits," said Zhao Qianhua, a company representative.

In addition to high-tech exhibits, the expo will feature, for the first time, an "Asia-Africa products zone" and a "cross-border e-commerce selection platform" designed to facilitate market entry into China for African enterprises and other smaller overseas businesses.

Furthermore, this edition of the CIIE will introduce new sections that will appear for the first time, such as a "sports park" and an "international auto demonstration zone," aimed at delivering innovative consumer experiences to attendees.

To date, a total of 465,000 professional visitors have registered for the event.

During this year's expo, the 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, an important part of the CIIE, will be held, with 21 key reports to be released, including the "World Openness Report 2025."

8th CIIE to open in Shanghai with hundreds of new exhibits on display

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a delegation from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Portugal led by Hugo Soares, the secretary-general and the parliamentary leader of the party, in Beijing on Friday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal has been continuously deepened.

China is ready to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislative bodies of the two countries, promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Portugal and China-EU relations, he said.

Li also briefed the delegation on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Soares said that Portugal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries through inter-party channels.

Senior Chinese legislator meets Portugal's PSD delegation