Global firms see CIIE as vital opportunity to engage China market

The 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to open on Thursday in Shanghai, with leading global companies viewing the event as a key platform for engaging with policymakers and industry partners.

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, this year's expo from Nov 5 to 10 is expected to attract 4,142 overseas exhibitors from 148 countries and regions, including more than 2,000 first-time exhibitors. Overall, 162 countries, regions and international organizations will participate.

During the interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), returning exhibitors highlighted the unique value of the expo.

Michael Gelchie, chief executive officer of Louis Dreyfus Company, described the CIIE as far more than a conventional trade fair.

"CIIE is not just an ordinary trade show, right? It's an opportunity for us, organizationally, to meet our customers, to see potential customers, to meet our partners and policymakers all under one roof. And at the same time, look at food innovation, technological innovation, all throughout the context of the event. So that's incredibly exciting. Louis Dreyfus has been in China for over 50 years. This, I think, organizationally, is our ninth CIIE attending as a group. So we're incredibly excited by the opportunities of being here and the connectivity that we have here," said Gelchie.

Hendrik Kohleick, president of Henkel Asia-Pacific, shared a similar view, emphasizing the expo's dual role in showcasing innovation and building partnerships.

"So firstly, we hope to showcase Henkel as an important source of innovation in the Chinese market and across Asia-Pacific region and also in advanced areas, such as for instance, AI or E-mobility. And secondly, the CIIE is also for us an important platform to connect or reconnect with our customers, our suppliers, our partners, and potentially to forge new partnerships. So China is a super important market, not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but also on the worldwide stage. It is by now our third largest market worldwide. And it is more than just end market or manufacturing hub. It has become over time, also, a hub for innovation, for the region and also for the world," he said.

Companies from the United States, Germany, Britain and France will occupy the largest exhibition areas.

Launched in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE has become an important gateway for foreign businesses seeking access to China's vast consumer and industrial markets.

Global firms see CIIE as vital opportunity to engage China market

Global firms see CIIE as vital opportunity to engage China market

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.

Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.

"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.

At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.

Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.

"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.

In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.

There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.

A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.

Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai