A full range of business matchmaking and high-value contract signings took place Thursday as the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) entered its second day in Shanghai, spotlighting China's expanding role as a global trade hub.
This year's CIIE, which runs through next Monday, features the largest exhibition area in its history and a record 4,108 overseas exhibitors from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations. With the theme "New Era, Shared Future," the event continues to host a wide range of business and cooperation activities alongside the main exhibition.
Among Thursday's highlights was the seventh China-Europe CEO Summit, where the China-Europe Business Council Annual Report 2025 was officially released. The report introduced a business confidence index and offered recommendations to deepen trade and economic ties between the two sides. Multiple cooperation agreements were signed at the summit, covering sectors such as manufacturing and electronics.
Also on Thursday, 43 collective signing sessions took place in the expo's signing hall, with more than 250 intended cooperation agreements expected.
For the first time, Hall 4.1 at the CIIE featured a "Buyers' Zone" showcasing major Chinese state-owned enterprises. Sinopec, China's leading energy and chemical company, signed deals worth 40.9 billion U.S. dollars with 34 partners from 17 countries and regions. "The total value of deals signed this year reached 40.9 billion U.S. dollars, bringing the cumulative amount over the past eight years to more than 325 billion U.S. dollars. These figures reflect the deepening of Sinopec's strategic cooperation with global partners," said Sinopec President Zhao Dong.
In addition, China's Ministry of Commerce has recently launched a series of events under the theme "Big Market for All: Export to China." The program, featuring ten major themed activities ranging from regional and industry-specific matchmaking to international product promotion weeks, extends an invitation to the world to share in the opportunities of China's vast market.
Cooperation contract inked, CEO summit held on Day 2 of 8th CIIE
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
