Construction and exhibition setup across all eight halls of the main venue of the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) are in the final sprint in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province.
The expo will be held from April 13 to 18.
At the exhibition halls, staff are busy arranging exhibits and testing interactive installations. All setup work is set to be completed by Sunday, ready to welcome global exhibitors and buyers.
"My expectation is to meet somebody that would like to understand what we propose. I think [it] could mean more opportunities to come in China, especially in Hainan because the government want to import product and facilitate us to come here without any tax," said an exhibitor from Italy.
"This time, we are bringing eight brands to make their debut at the expo. We will also sign agreements with pet brands to enrich the category of duty-free pet products available for travelers," said Hou Xiaofei, marketing director of Haikou GDF Plaza.
The main venue features eight exhibition halls. Hall 4 is dedicated to global specialty consumer goods. It showcases premium products from 22 countries and regions including Canada, Switzerland, and Italy.
"With the 'fast-track' green channel, Chinese consumers can quickly access authentic Italian products," said Chen Meiqi, vice chair of Salotto Italia-Cina (Italy-China Lounge).
This year's expo will see national pavilion debuts from multiple countries such as Russia and Bulgaria.
The expo continues to embrace a green and low-carbon approach, promoting sustainable practices in construction and event operations.
"These structures are made of recyclable materials. After use, they can be recycled and reused," said Sun Zhili, on-site operations manager of the expo.
The total exhibition area reaches 143,000 square meters, an increase of 13,000 square meters compared with the previous edition.
More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions are expected to participate, with international brands accounting for 65 percent of the total.
Preparations for main venue of consumer products expo in final sprint
Authorities on the Chinese mainland have put forward a package of 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee unveiled the package on Sunday, saying it aims to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and enhance the kinship and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.
The announcement came as a delegation from the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, is wrapping up a mainland visit from Tuesday to Sunday.
Efforts will be made to explore the establishment of a regular communication mechanism between the CPC and the KMT, and an institutionalized platform will be set up to promote two-way exchanges between young people from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, the office said in a statement.
Steps will be taken to push the coastal areas of Fujian Province -- the mainland province closest to Taiwan -- to share water, electricity, and gas supplies with Kinmen and Matsu, and promote the construction of sea-crossing bridges linking the two areas, when conditions permit.
The mainland will fast-track the full resumption of regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, including flights to and from mainland cities of Urumqi, Xi'an, Harbin, Kunming and Lanzhou.
Kinmen will be supported to use the new airport built in its adjacent city of Xiamen in Fujian Province.
A communication mechanism will be set up on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" to facilitate the entry of Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products that meet the quarantine standards into the mainland.
The mainland will explore building wharves and berths in regions where conditions permit for distant-water fishing vessels from the Taiwan region, and mull providing convenience for the sale of their fish catch on the mainland, according to the statement.
It will also facilitate registration procedures for qualified Taiwan food manufacturers and the entry of their food products into the mainland market.
According to the statement, the mainland will explore the establishment of more trading markets for small-ticket items with Taiwan, and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan to expand business on the mainland.
The statement noted that qualified TV shows, documentaries and animations from Taiwan can be aired on the mainland, adding that people from Taiwan can participate in micro drama production on the mainland in various forms.
The mainland will also promote the resumption of individual tours for Shanghai and Fujian residents to Taiwan, the statement said.
Mainland unveils package of policies, measures to boost ties with Taiwan
