Businesses in the Republic of Korea (ROK) are poised to significantly expand their presence at the Ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), with the number of participating companies expected to double compared to the previous edition, trade officials announced at a promotional event in Seoul on Thursday.
Business leaders and trade officials from both countries, including those from the Chinese Embassy in ROK, the China International Import Expo Bureau, ROK's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resource, the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and multiple ROK enterprises, gathered in Seoul for a preview of the ninth CIIE.
Chinese representatives at the meeting highlighted that the CIIE serves as an important platform for ROK companies seeking to enter China's vast consumer market. China welcomes ROK businesses to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China and share the dividends of China's development.
The KITA has organized group participation for ROK companies since the very first edition of the CIIE. So far, more than 860 ROK companies have showcased their products at the expo.
Representatives from the KITA confirmed the sharp increase in the participation of ROK firms.
"The ROK government has made consumer goods exports to China a key priority. In line with this policy, our association is expanding participation in this year's expo to around 100 companies, while making full preparations to help them achieve tangible results," said Jang Seok-Min, executive vice president of the KITA.
"Last year, around 50 ROK companies exhibited at the expo, while this year, we plan to double that scale, with more than 100 ROK companies taking part. Those ROK companies that have participated in previous editions of the CIIE achieved very positive results, and many have expressed a strong desire to return," said Shin Sun-Young, director of KITA’s marketing strategy office.
Shin said that exports to China are critically important for ROK companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones. The CIIE is viewed as the best possible window for expanding those exports.
"Both corporate buyers and general consumers come to the expo for face-to-face discussions, so ROK companies believe that participating in the CIIE allows them to benefit from both B2C (Business to Customer) and B2B (Business to Business) opportunities. It's an excellent opportunity to gauge market response and understand market trends," said Shin.
Government-backed agencies say they are expanding support, from matchmaking with local buyers to on-site marketing and logistics. The push comes as trade between ROK and China shows renewed momentum, with strong growth recorded in early 2026.
From AI to green energy and biotech, both sides are also pointing to new areas of cooperation beyond traditional trade. And against the backdrop of global uncertainty, officials say deeper economic engagement could offer both stability and new growth opportunities.
ROK participants in China's 9th CIIE set to double as bilateral trade ties gains momentum
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy.
Commemoration of the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy and the launching ceremony of a China-U.S. youth sports exchange series were held in Beijing on Friday.
Fifty-five years ago, the older generation of leaders of China and the United States, with their extraordinary political wisdom and strategic vision, reopened the door to friendly exchanges between the two peoples, creating the much told stories of "the little ball being able to move the big ball," Xi said.
He noted that it is of great significance to advancing the China-U.S. friendly ties that the youth from both sides renew the affinity brought by Ping-Pong Diplomacy and engage in a series of sports exchange activities.
Xi emphasized that the foundation of China-U.S. relations is laid by the people, and the future of bilateral relations will be shaped by the youth. He expressed the hope that people from all walks of life in both countries, especially the younger generation, will draw wisdom and strength from history.
Xi called on the two peoples to better understand each other through exchanges and cooperation, jointly move forward through mutual learning, tighten their bonds of amity, and make new contributions to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng read out Xi's letter at the ceremony.
Noting the significance of Ping-Pong Diplomacy to China-U.S. relations and its long-lasting global influence, Han said at the event that the two countries' relations have reached a critical juncture where the strategic choices made by China and the U.S. will once again influence the direction of the evolving global landscape.
China-U.S. relations have generally moved forward over the past 55 years, Han said, underlining that practice has shown that a stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship serves the common interest of both peoples and meets the shared expectations of the international community.
Han called on both sides to draw on past experiences, follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, uphold the principle of mutual respect, adhere to the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, and strive for a future of win-win cooperation.
Han also encouraged curiosity about China from visiting American youth, wishing them to go home with an objective understanding of China and precious friendships with Chinese counterparts.
About 500 people attended the ceremony, including participants of the China-U.S. "Ping-Pong Diplomacy," young table tennis players, sports figures, and youth American football players from the U.S.
In April 1971, a U.S. Table Tennis team delegation took a historic trip to China, becoming the first delegation of Americans to visit China in decades. The trip was the beginning of what became known as Ping-Pong Diplomacy, and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of official diplomatic relations between China and the United States.
Xi sends congratulations to event commemorating 55th anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy
