中文
By Curtis Stone
The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), being held from November 5 to 10, reflects China's rapid economic growth and expanding consumer market, that have made it a key player in global trade.
Launched in 2018 in the megacity of Shanghai, the world's first import-themed national-level expo has quickly evolved into one of the largest and most influential fairs worldwide, attracting thousands of companies from across the globe. Now in its eighth year, the CIIE serves both as a magnet, drawing global businesses, technologies and investments, and as a gateway, opening access to China's vast market and new channels of international cooperation.
From the outset, the CIIE has acted as a powerful magnet, attracting the global business community to China. This year, the expo is set to welcome more than 4100 companies from 155 countries and regions, showcasing 461 new products, technologies and services. It has become a landmark on the international trade calendar, welcoming both old and new friends each year.
For example, AmCham Shanghai is once again collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to co-organize the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion. The 350-square-meter pavilion will feature 19 exhibitors presenting a wide range of American agricultural products. At last year's expo, 14 exhibitors showcased U.S. meat, grains, and poultry, among others and signed deals with Chinese partners worth $711 million. These partnerships underscore the CIIE's role in boosting international cooperation.
CIIE's magnetism extends well beyond its exhibition halls. As illustrated by American agricultural exhibitors eager to return to Shanghai, the expo consistently translates participation into tangible benefits. Many global companies have used their participation as a springboard to expand their footprint in China.
The U.S.-headquartered healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, for instance, plans to bring more than 100 innovative products and solutions, including over 10 debut products, to this year's expo. This participation underscores the company's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in its second-largest market.
Such developments reflect China's broader commitment to high-level opening up. Since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China has absorbed over $700 billion in foreign direct investment, while the number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises has risen by 25,000 compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), reinforcing China's appeal as a magnet for global investment.
A cargo ship navigating at Tianjin Port in north China's Tianjin, April 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
While attracting the world to China, the CIIE also serves as a gateway, providing direct access to China's fast-evolving market landscape. The expo enables exhibitors to connect with Chinese businesses and potential partners, turning participation into concrete opportunities. For instance, Myanmar exporters are set to showcase a wide range of products at the eighth CIIE, including tea, fruits, flowers, vegetables and honey, to expand their presence in the world's second-largest economy.
This gateway function enables smaller enterprises and developing countries such as Myanmar to share a global stage with international giants like Johnson & Johnson. By lowering entry barriers and fostering equal access, the CIIE has created a mutually beneficial platform linking China and the wider world, building a bridge for shared development.
Beyond expanding market access, the CIIE contributes to broader global development. The expo leverages its role as a bridge for trade, investment and cooperation to help the world's least developed countries (LDCs) access China's vast market and integrate more deeply into the global economy. Dedicated exhibition zones and targeted support help these countries showcase their products and build valuable connections.
At last year's CIIE, China provided more than 120 free booths and other assistance to 37 LDCs, enabling many African nations to present specialty agricultural goods such as coffee beans, shea butter, cashew nuts, honey and tropical fruits. In this way, the CIIE acts not merely as a commercial platform but as a catalyst for inclusive and balanced growth, embodying the vision of an open world economy.
CIIE's magnetic power draws the world to China, while its gateway function turns participation into real and lasting impact. After eight successful years, the CIIE stands as far more than a trade fair. It is a global platform where ideas, products and partnerships converge. What makes the CIIE unique is the way its dual roles reinforce each other: As a magnet, it draws the world; as a gateway, it channels global engagement into opportunities within China and beyond.
The CIIE reflects China's vision of openness, mutual benefit and shared prosperity in an era of mounting global uncertainty. For China, it strengthens its position as a major importer and global hub; for participants, it offers a reliable environment to transform opportunities into lasting results. Its continued evolution shows that, when openness meets opportunity, global cooperation can truly thrive.
Curtis Stone, a special commentator for CGTN who focuses on China and its role on the world stage, is an international relations expert and commentator based in the United States.
