Global exhibitors see CIIE as launchpad to seize 15th Five-Year Plan opportunities

Multinational executives and representatives from global institutions said they are closely watching China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and actively seeking cooperation opportunities that align with their business operations at the ongoing 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

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.

"I think the new Five-Year Plan shows us again in China using the incredible strengths and network of talents of very competitive supply bases, even as well doing more local for global," said Holger Engelmann, CEO of German global automotive supplier Webasto.

"I have studied the recent, new Five-Year Plan that has been released. I think there are a lot of really important things in there where US soy and China can cooperate to help companies and people implement that Five-Year Plan,"said Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Green and low-carbon development and healthcare are key priorities that have drawn widespread attention during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and have also become keywords for foreign enterprises interpreting China's opportunities at this year's expo.

"For me, what's exciting is when I talk to surgeons and clinicians and care team providers here in China, all of them are excited to advance minimally invasive care to increase the quality of minimally invasive care that's available here in China. So, that makes us confident," said David Rosa, CEO of U.S. Medical device company Intuitive.

"There are going to be significant opportunities in the RT (radiation therapy) segment and the RT space as a result of this focus and we are open and really well positioned to collaborate with clinicians," said Marie Helene Lauro, vice president of Elekta, a Swedish company focusing on radiation oncology and cancer care solutions.

Seizing the new opportunities of the 15th Five-Year Plan, many foreign enterprises have rolled out new development plans for their China operations: expanding investment, deepening their footprint, and joining hands with Chinese companies to go global.

"The further expansion of our Beijing production base, along with the continued development of our operations center in Chengdu and research and development center in Shanghai, allows more partners within our domestic ecosystem to gain a better understanding of our strategic footprint, so as to pave the way for more effective collaboration across China," said Shi Wang, president of Sanofi Greater China, a regional branch of France's largest healthcare company.

"We view the Chinese market not merely as a consumer market, but also as a vital hub for research, development, and innovation. Currently, our annual investment in research and development within China exceeds 5 percent of our revenue, and we expect to see this figure to rise even further," said Wu Guangyu, president of the China branch of Dun and Bradstreet, a U.S.-headquartered global provider of business information and credit services.

Global exhibitors see CIIE as launchpad to seize 15th Five-Year Plan opportunities

Global exhibitors see CIIE as launchpad to seize 15th Five-Year Plan opportunities

The train collision in Egypt's Giza governorate occurred on Sunday when a train on the Giza-Fayoum route hit the rear of another on the Cairo-Aswan route, according to the Egyptian National Railways Authority.

The accident took place between Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations, which has left at least seven dead and more than 100 others injured.

"I was dropping off passengers from the bus when I saw a train standing still on the rail, then another passenger train came at high speed, it didn't appear to slow down or use the brakes. They crashed and both derailed, each flipping onto a different side of the tracks. There were people under the trains. Residents of Gerza rushed over and got welding equipment to cut the trains and rescue people. Farmers also came to assist," said Hegazi El Ablawi, an eyewitness.

Emergency teams and cranes were dispatched to clear the site and move the remaining carriages to restore services in both directions as quickly as possible, the authority said.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement that 45 patients had been discharged after they received the necessary treatment and their conditions improved, while seven others were expected to be discharged soon. Other injured were continuing to receive treatment under medical observation.

Earlier, the ministry said in another statement that 72 ambulances took part in rescue and evacuation operations, with the injured transferred to multiple hospitals in Giza and nearby Beni Suef governorate.

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered health facilities in both governorates to raise readiness and provide all necessary medical and emergency support to the injured, according to the statement.

Egyptian railway authority says one train hits another's rear when accident occurs