CIIE signifies China's pledge to open doors wider to rest of world: participants

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) sends a message that China will open its doors even wider to the rest of the world, as the country seeks open cooperation with all other countries, said participants in the expo's eighth edition this year, which is running from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

This year's expo attracted exhibitors from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, with the exhibition area covering an unprecedented 430,000 square meters, marking a record-breaking scale for the event.

The expo introduced innovative themes including the silver economy, ice and snow economy, sports economy, and automotive tourism, alongside new platforms dedicated to digital and health consumption, enhancing its role as a global hub for trade and collaboration.

These efforts aim to boost trade in both goods and services.

The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, featuring more than 30 sub-forums and closed-door meetings, will also be held during the expo, in addition to a series of over 80 supporting activities, such as business coordination sessions and investment promotion activities.

Furthermore, the expo will showcase the launch of new products, technologies, and services. Notably, this edition significantly expanded its section for African products, with an 80 percent year-on-year increase in the number of participating African companies.

"This highlights the Chinese government's commitment to its opening-up and economic globalization policies, which is evident both before and after advancements in opening-up and global economic integration. Meanwhile, it profoundly reaffirms the essence of China's foreign policy," said Ammar Al-Saqour, a journalist of Al-Rai newspaper from Jordan.

"In their speeches to the opening ceremony, everyone praised China's role in technology and trade sectors, and its growing influence in the media sector. This has built cooperative bridges between China and other countries," said Ali Al-Ghilani, a participant from the Omani Journalists Association.

Amid rising trade protectionism in the world, the expo reflects China's firm commitment to expanding opening-up at a high level.

"Indeed, the CIIE serves as a vital global platform ensuring inclusive participation of exporters, enterprises, and startups worldwide. It demonstrates China's enduring commitment to welcoming international collaboration, as it draws manufacturers and investors from around the world. Shanghai stands as another testament to China's development and progress," said Hadi Harizi, a journalist with the Tunis Afrique Presse news agency.

"This will help Yemeni products, including agricultural and aquatic goods, to win a large market share in China. Today, China is opening its doors wider to the world. Through its opening-up policy and by fostering trade and industrial and technological relationships, China is conveying the political, economic and trade message that it is sharing its successful experiences," said Ali al-Aqbi, news director at the Al-Thawra newspaper in Yemen.

CIIE signifies China's pledge to open doors wider to rest of world: participants

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' separatist moves to stoke cross-Strait hostility are unpopular and doomed to fail, said Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang made the comments at a regular press conference in response to a media query about recent inappropriate remarks by Chiu Chui-cheng, head of the so-called "mainland affairs council", regarding the Chinese mainland's policy of advancing high-quality cross-Strait integrated development".

"Our fellow Taiwan compatriots are our kith and kin. Over the years, acting on the principle that 'people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all of the same family', we have actively promoted cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepened the integrated development across various fields, and made steady progress in implementing policies that provide equal treatment to Taiwan compatriots. These efforts have continuously yielded new results, fully demonstrating our goodwill in seeking benefits for Taiwan compatriots and our sincerity in advancing the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations. Such endeavors have been met with strong support and wide acclaim from our Taiwan compatriots. Driven by its separatist pursuit of 'Taiwan secession', the DPP authorities are deeply fearful of closer ties between people across the Strait. They have deliberately fanned the flames of confrontation and antagonism, while resorting to slander and obstruction against anything that helps develop cross-Strait relations and benefits people on both sides. Such moves are deeply unpopular and are bound to fail," she said.

DPP's moves to stoke cross-Strait hostility unpopular, doomed to fail: spokeswoman