Global auto giants seek to deepen investment in China at 8th CIIE

Global automakers have gathered at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, seeking greater investment ties with China -- a global automotive power and the world's electric vehicle (EV) leader.

The Automotive and Smart Mobility Exhibition Area of this year's CIIE, themed "Mobility, Infinity", showcases groundbreaking achievements in intelligent technology, safety and sustainability.

As China's auto industry keeps making headways in intelligent connected and new energy technologies, global automakers are not only presenting multiple debut exhibits but also reinforcing their commitment through increased investments in the China market.

Japanese auto company Toyota, which has participated in the CIIE for eight consecutive years, is presenting a series of localized research and development achievements and collaborative results with Chinese partners.

Toyota, which announced plans earlier this year to build a wholly-owned EV plant in Shanghai, is showcasing at the CIIE a detailed model of the new facility. The new company is expected to begin production in 2027.

"This demonstrates Toyota's confidence in the prospects of the China's market and our determination for long-term commitment. We are highly optimistic about the mature industrial chain, logistics network, talent pool and technological capabilities in Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta region," said Li Hui, general manager of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

German auto company Audi is showcasing its latest progress in accelerating electrification transformation in China by displaying two pure electric car models at the CIIE. Since the beginning of this year, Audi has launched several new models in the China market, as it continues to advance its largest-ever product lineup in the country.

"China, especially Shanghai, showcases the strong ecosystem that brings up innovations and China speed. So, you find these innovations very fast in our cars," said Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi AG.

The exhibition area this year also features autonomous driving and future mobility innovations including self-driving electric vehicles and eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft), showcasing everything from global tech debuts to localized investment layouts, and from classic car cultural heritage to cutting-edge exploration of autonomous driving.

"Many multinational automakers have participated in all eight editions of the CIIE, becoming participants in the expo's auto exhibition on a yearly basis. They hope to share in the dividends of China's consumer market through the CIIE platform, particularly in new technologies like vehicle electrification and intelligent connectivity, where they seek to strengthen cooperation and exchange with their Chinese counterparts," said Gu Chunting, vice chairman of the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai.

This year's CIIE, running until Nov 10, features the largest exhibition space in its history and brings together a record 4,108 enterprises from 138 countries and regions across the world.

Since its inception, the CIIE has stood as a vital gateway for foreign companies to tap new partnership opportunities with China, linking international enterprises with China's super-sized market.

Global auto giants seek to deepen investment in China at 8th CIIE

Global auto giants seek to deepen investment in China at 8th CIIE

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.

In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.

"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.

This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.

By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.

China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.

The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.

"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.

China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting