The 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) ongoing in Haikou of China's southernmost island province of Hainan started its three public days on Thursday, arousing great interest from visitors with the latest sci-tech innovations and cutting-edge applications.
This year's expo features more than 200 global consumer product debuts and first launches, with many exhibitors bringing real-life consumption scenarios directly into the exhibition hall.
A number of duty-free sales companies have gathered at the expo, setting up on-site "buy now, pick up immediately" consumption zones.
Technology and smart products keep capturing consumers' attention.
In the consumer technology exhibition area, booths featuring AI glasses, smart robots, massage chairs and other products are seeing steady foot traffic and brisk sales.
"At this expo, we have launched and debuted an auditory mode targeting people with hearing impairments or hearing difficulties. Our auditory mode provides a solution for barrier-free communication for such individuals," said an exhibitor named Jiang Zhizheng.
"This pair of AI glasses has real-time translation, navigation, and music-listening functions. I think people of our age are all interested in new things. For example, recently Haikou has also introduced driverless vehicles -- everyone is very interested in that," said a consumer named Yang Muzi.
Many overseas products are now incorporating traditional Chinese cultural elements into their product designs to better meet the demands of the Chinese consumer market.
"This peacock represents our Chinese culture. Through the expo, we can better hear consumers' voices, which is very conducive to promoting our brands," said an exhibitor named Xu Xuelan.
The CICPE is China's only national-level consumer products exhibition and the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's gigantic market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.
Hainan consumer products expo starts public days
Hainan consumer products expo starts public days
The Embassy of China in Japan on Thursday urged the Japanese side to promptly investigate a series of terror threats and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel in the country.
At a press conference held on the same day, the embassy said it had recently been subjected to multiple threats. On March 5, individuals claiming to be former Japanese police officers and ex-members of the Self-Defense Forces sent a threatening letter to the embassy. Although the incident was immediately reported to Japanese authorities, the embassy said it received insufficient attention, and no effective measures were taken, with the case still unresolved.
The embassy also cited a March 24 incident in which Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, scaled a wall and broke into the embassy while carrying a knife. The Chinese side lodged solemn representations with Japan following the intrusion.
On March 31, another individual claiming to be a reserve member of the Self-Defense Forces issued an online threat to the embassy, alleging that a remotely controlled bomb had been planted inside the premises, according to the embassy.
These incidents constitute serious violations of international law, infringe upon China's sovereignty and dignity, and pose grave threats to the safety of Chinese diplomatic personnel and facilities, with extremely negative implications, the embassy said.
The embassy stressed that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations clearly stipulates the inviolability of diplomatic premises and obliges the receiving state to protect diplomatic premises from intrusion, damage, disturbance of peace, or impairment of dignity. However, it said Japan has failed to effectively fulfill its obligations under international law to safeguard Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel.
The embassy added that it has engaged with Japanese police nearly 30 times regarding the recent threats, but investigations have made little progress. It reiterated its firm position and demands, urging Japan to accelerate investigations, bring those responsible to justice, provide a responsible explanation, and take concrete measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
Chinese embassy urges Japan to investigate threats, ensure safety of personnel
