Shanghai has opened the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) with a broader mix of countries than in previous years, as economies from the world's richest to the least developed gather in the Chinese commercial hub in pursuit of trade partnerships and access to China's vast consumer market.
The expo, which runs through Tuesday, has drawn more than 4,000 overseas exhibitors, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders. Nearly 500 exhibits are making their global, Asian or Chinese debuts, the highest number in the event's history.
That broader reach is most visible at the country exhibition, where nearly 70 countries and international organizations are taking part this year, up from last year, with Moldova, Romania and the United Nations Development Programme all attending for the first time. Heading the lineup are Canada and Sri Lanka, which are sharing this year's guest-of-honor status.
For Sri Lanka, the distinction is a milestone, as it is the first time the country has taken on the role. It marked the debut on Thursday afternoon with the opening of its national pavilion, where Ceylon black tea, sapphires, spices and cashew nuts sit alongside traditional handicrafts.
"[By] participating in this exhibition, we have achieved more than elaborating [on] our products [to] the world; more than that, we are expecting to meet with investors and discuss with them the opportunities in Sri Lanka," said Nishanta Jayaweera, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka and Canada are not the only countries receiving special treatment. Britain, Spain, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Thailand have been named this year's theme countries for "Export to China", a designation that comes with a tailored package of supporting measures and dedicated services.
Gu Wenqian, who oversees European participation at the country exhibition, said the organizers have shaped the entire participant experience around the guest and theme countries.
"We are making targeted efforts to make exhibiting easier, cut costs, improve overall services and amplify publicity, so that guest countries of honor and theme countries truly feel the benefits of taking part," said Gu Wenqian, head of the European division for the CIIE Country Exhibition.
Launched in 2018 as the world's first import-themed national-level expo, the CIIE has increasingly served as a testing ground for new measures to advance China's high-standard opening-up, as well as a platform for putting China's broader opening-up policies into practice.
Country exhibition at 9th CIIE showcases high-level debuts, global partnerships
