International exhibitors eye greater opportunities at Hainan consumer products expo

International exhibitors at the ongoing 6th China International Consumer Products Expo in south China's Hainan Province have expressed strong interest in exploring further business opportunities in the Chinese market.

This year's expo, running from April 13 to 18, is the first national-level consumer expo since the Hainan Free Trade Port launched island-wide special customs operations in December 2025. More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions are taking part, with international exhibits accounting for 65 percent of the total -- a 20 percent increase from last year. Maddi, an Iranian exhibitor, said his products have proven popular at the venue.

"This is our second time participating in the consumer products expo. We can see that our products are very popular at the venue. Sales are quite good, and visitors have shown great interest in our distinctive Iranian products. We hope to expand our business through this expo," he said.

The event has also been an opportunity for the international exhibitors to learn about the advantages of doing business in Hainan now that a slew of favorable policies have been put in place. For some, that will mean price advantages for their imported products, while others may even set up local factories.

"Today, we discussed with one company who offered us to open our manufacturing here and do final products here," said Borodin, a Russian exhibitor.

"Next year, I can export my French wine to Haikou at a lower price. It would be more interesting for customers. I get very optimistic for the future," said Felix, a French exhibitor.

"We have a saying in Ireland, a rising tide lifts all boats. So if the government policy has created that rising tide, then that invariably is good for everybody, and we would certainly like to find our little piece of that," said Peter Clancy, a liquor exhibitor from Ireland.

Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become a key platform for multinationals to track consumer trends in China's vast market. Over the past five editions, more than 3,800 enterprises and over 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions have participated.

International exhibitors eye greater opportunities at Hainan consumer products expo

The Strait of Hormuz is back under Iran's strict control due to repeated breaches of commitments by the U.S., said a spokesman for Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters on Saturday.

Iran had agreed to allow a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels to pass through the strategic waterway in a managed manner. However, the United States has repeatedly breached its commitments, continuing acts of "piracy" and "sea robbery" under the pretext of a blockade, said the statement.

As a result, control over the Strait of Hormuz has been returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under strict management and control by the Armed Forces, according to the statement.

The spokesperson further stated that as long as the United States does not stop interfering with the free passage of vessels traveling from or to Iran, the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control and maintain its previous state.

The latest move came after a brief reopening of the Strait based on prior arrangements between Iran and the United States.

Both Washington and Tehran confirmed on Friday that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.

Middle East expert Wang Jin from China's Northwest University believes the shifting situation at the Strait stems from the preconditions set by both sides, which undermine confidence in passage.

"Iran has imposed its own rules for passage through the Strait, requiring vessels to notify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and navigate only through designated waterways. Meanwhile, the United States has set up an interception and blockade outside the Strait, prohibiting vessels from engaging in direct trade or contact with Iran or participating in Iran's foreign trade. Both sides have added preconditions to passage through the Strait, which in effect undermines confidence in the normal flow of traffic through this vital waterway,” said Wang.

Iran says Hormuz Strait back under control due to US repeated breaches of commitments