Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Least developed countries enter “fast lane” into Chinese market via expo

The exhibitor from Mali was using the drum to promote shea butter produced by his manual workshop at the 2024 CIIE in Shanghai, running from Nov. 5 to 10.

“Our company has participated in the CIIE on three occasions, and I always see numerous opportunities here,” said Thera, adding that he is confident of attracting more big clients over the next few days.

According to Thera, his wife, a Chinese national, was the first person who told him that shea butter, a specialty he was all too familiar with during his childhood, may prove a surprising skin care cream option for Chinese people, while the CIIE is the first platform that has shown him he can cooperate with merchants from various countries.

China is offering over 120 free booths and other support measures to 37 of the world’s least developed countries at the 2024 CIIE, thereby helping them showcase their products at the expo. China has also expanded the exhibition area for African agricultural products.

In the area around Thera’s booth, other African exhibitors can be seen introducing farm produce including coffee beans, cashew nuts and tropical fruits, with constant streams of visitors stopping to have a look or taste.

China’s imports of African agricultural products have registered strong growth over the past years with the country rolling out supporting policies, including streamlining customs procedures and reducing or exempting tariffs, said Sun Hong, deputy director of the Institute of African Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Sun defined the CIIE as one of the platforms enabling Chinese consumers to learn more about African agricultural products, and said that efforts should be made to support more Chinese enterprises in investing in relevant industries in African countries, such as processing, logistics and warehousing.

Holding a large piece of beeswax in one hand and a small box of honey in the other, Jackson Mponela, production manager for commerce and development at Tanzania Future Enterprises Company Ltd., said he is confident about the products and hopes to capture the Chinese market of over 1.4 billion people.

“I watched a video about the CIIE held last year and I was so impressed by the hustle and bustle there, so I figured we should start our first CIIE journey this year,” said Mponela, adding that he expects to secure new partnerships at the expo and learn more about how other companies are being operated.

“We brought many varieties of newly designed handmade Afghan carpets to the expo to better cater to the needs of Chinese consumers,” said Ali Faiz from Biraro Trading Company, which has participated at the CIIE for five consecutive years. Ali added that it used to be difficult for small businesses in Afghanistan to find overseas markets for local products.

To attract more Chinese buyers, Ali decided to use short videos and livestreaming to share knowledge about Afghan carpets and hold cultural experience activities together with other exhibitors during this year’s CIIE.

Helping enterprises from the least developed countries tap the Chinese market and integrate into the global economy is a feature of the CIIE, said Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, adding that the expo has always been a public good for the whole world.

The CIIE is just one of China’s endeavors to support the least developed countries. In September, China announced that the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China would enjoy zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines starting from Dec. 1 this year.

China will also strengthen cooperation with those countries in terms of inspection and quarantine, and provide vocational training for e-commerce enterprises to help the least developed countries improve their trade capacity, said Tang.

November 7, 2024
Seven-time attenders at import expo evolving with China

In 2018, when the first CIIE was held, the Danish company displayed a vivid mosaic made by over 100,000 LEGO bricks featuring Jinbao, the mascot of the CIIE, and introduced science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) courses for Chinese schools. This year, the company is highlighting the potential of play for innovation and its commitment to sustainability.

“Since the first CIIE, we’ve introduced 29 novelties at the expo, among which 19 sets are inspired by Chinese culture and traditions,” said Paul Huang, senior vice president of the LEGO Group and general manager of LEGO China.

The LEGO Group is one of the 186 firms and institutions that have appeared at the CIIE seven years in a row, and many of them have signed up for next year’s event.

The CIIE’s full-time attenders have stood witness to and benefited from the evolution of the expo and the Chinese market at large, and have continued to make adjustments so as to take advantage of emerging trends and markets.

At the first CIIE, global industrial technology giant Schneider Electric signed cooperation agreements primarily in the manufacturing and construction industries, but has since expanded to encompass various sectors, including oil and gas, infrastructure, commercial construction, life sciences, transportation, and water services and environmental protection.

As China develops new quality productive forces, innovative technologies are driving the transformation toward digitization and green low-carbon development, which have provided Schneider Electric with a broader space for development, according to Yin Zheng, Schneider Electric executive vice president managing China and East Asia.

Zhang Xiqiang, executive vice president of Nestle S.A. and CEO of Nestle Zone Greater China, said the company has observed that the Chinese consumer market is gradually entering an era of scientific and rational consumption. “The demand in the Chinese food industry continues to evolve, shifting from simply eating well and eating enough to eating healthily and seeking delight from the experience,” he said.

The Swiss company has brought over 420 exhibits sourced from 14 countries and nine major business units, covering niche markets including baby nutrition, health science, confectionery and pet care.

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) has led a delegation of nearly 400 representatives from 44 Singaporean businesses, marking the SBF’s seventh year at the CIIE.

SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon said the federation is very encouraged to see that the companies are no longer limited to the food and beverage sector. “We are starting to see companies responding to China’s call for more high-quality investment in fields like biotech,” he said.

To mark its seventh consecutive participation, U.S. material-science giant Dow Inc. has brought the most robust lineup and planned for the most agreements signed at the event in its history at the CIIE.

“As we celebrate our 45 years of operations in China, we are looking forward to China’s continued opening up policies that will enable us to further strengthen our deep roots and grow alongside the Chinese economy,” said Kevin Kolevar, vice president of Dow Inc.

November 7, 2024
China’s import expo highlights opportunities in Chinese market, says Egyptian business leader

Mohamed Youssef, head of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association, said the “initiative is unique and has started to achieve solid results over the past six years.”

Data showed that in 2022, the fifth CIIE saw 73.5 billion U.S. dollars worth of tentative deals reached for one-year purchases of goods and services, which, Youssef said, occurred while “the world was recovering from an economic crisis resulting from COVID-19.”

Despite the pandemic and regional and international tensions, China’s success in concluding big business deals during the 2022 CIIE was “such a great achievement,” Youssef said.

He said China, the world’s second-largest economy, plays a vital pivotal role in balancing the world’s economic powers.

Youssef emphasized that through the CIIE and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China aims to establish win-win partnerships with developing countries and assist them in making the best use of their resources to achieve development and growth.

“China enhances its relations with other countries via partnerships based on mutual benefit, and the BRI has opened the door for China to view African countries with this vision,” he added.

The head of Egypt’s business community emphasized that African countries, rich in human and natural resources, can benefit from strong partnerships with economically powerful nations capable and willing to drive development in these societies.

Youssef said that the growing Egyptian-Chinese relations will significantly enhance the trade and investment exchange between Egypt and China.

Egypt can be one of the leading destinations for Chinese investment to manufacture products in great demand in the Chinese market, said Youssef, noting that Egypt is a key partner in the China-proposed BRI.

He said one of the CIIE’s key achievements has been its role in introducing the global business community to the opportunities in the Chinese market.

“The expo opens opportunities for all participating countries to exchange information about the comparative and competitive advantages of their products, and thus contributes to and encourages inter-trade between participating states,” Youssef said.

The Egyptian business leader stressed that the participation of both developing and developed countries in the 7th CIIE indicates their awareness that “the CIIE is a very important window not only for the Chinese market but also for the markets of many countries participating in this expo.

November 7, 2024
U.S. agriculture industry leaders expect stronger ties with China

They shared their views at the U.S.-China Agricultural Trade Cooperation Forum, held as part of the ongoing seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), which runs from Nov. 5 to 10.

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For Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the international marketing arm of U.S. Soy, China is a key trading partner and the relationship with China is “critically important.”

“U.S. Soy and many other commodity groups here have long-term collaboration relationships with China,” Sutter said, noting that in the case of U.S. Soy, China has been a partner for 42 years.

“We appreciate China’s leadership in opening up and promoting trade,” he said. “Trade is critically important for all of our agricultural commodities. And we’re happy to have a country like China, recognizing that and talking about the importance of it at a forum like the CIIE which is all about trade.”

The world’s first national-level expo focused on imports, the CIIE has featured a section dedicated to U.S. food and agriculture companies since last year, aiming to help them explore the Chinese market.

This year, the section attracted 14 participants. Impressively, within just the first hour of its operation, the total turnover hit 600 million U.S. dollars, according to data from the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai).

“China is our largest and most important market,” said Allisa Lau, China Director of Cotton Council International, a non-profit trade association that promotes U.S. cotton fiber and products, while speaking of the long-standing China-U.S. ties in the cotton industry.

The Chinese and American cotton industries have maintained very close cooperation over the years, and this is not only because of their interdependence but also their mutually beneficial and supportive relationship, Lau said.

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At the forum, many speakers shared similar views that despite the changing global landscape, China-U.S. agricultural cooperation remains beneficial for both countries to shift toward a more sustainable development path.

Janna Fritz, Vice-Chair of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, described the strong China-U.S. relationship in the soybean industry as a “beacon of hope and strength” for global agriculture. The mutually beneficial ties have influenced agricultural practices and lifestyles in both countries, she said.

China’s growing demand for sustainable, high-quality crops has set a high standard for soy purchases in terms of both quality and sustainability, Fritz said. She added that U.S. soy farmers “understand that mission” and will continue to help China meet its ambitious sustainability goals.

Also eyeing the huge cooperation potential, Steve Reinhard, Chair of the United Soybean Board, said that China has entered a stage of high-quality development as it strives to meet the people’s increasing need for high-standard products.

“Our commitment to sustainability could serve as a new productive force for Chinese partners to help with China’s high-quality development,” Reinhard said.

To facilitate this growing partnership, the CIIE has set an example for connecting U.S. agriculture firms with long-term Chinese partners. According to AmCham Shanghai, U.S. companies continued to land orders even after their participation in the expo last year, and the cumulative turnover from these orders has now reached 3 billion dollars.

At the opening ceremony of this year’s expo, Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed the country’s commitment to “turning its enormous market into global opportunities.” He said in the keynote speech that the country has fully implemented all the opening-up measures announced at the previous six CIIEs, and will continue to expand market access to more sectors.

Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO for the U.S. Grains Council, said that trade in agriculture is a “bright spot” in a complicated relationship between the U.S. and China.

“I think it’s entirely possible that our ideological differences may set a ceiling in our relations, the trade sets a floor in our relations,” LeGrand said, noting that agricultural trade, in particular, helps “set that floor and maintain that foundation.”

“When trade works, the world wins. And I think that certainly applies in the U.S.-China relationship,” he said.

November 7, 2024
Xi urges Hubei to write its own chapter in Chinese modernization

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour in the province from Monday to Wednesday.

On Monday afternoon, Xi visited an exhibition of ancient bamboo and wooden writing slips from the dynasties of Qin (221-207 BC) and Han (202 BC-AD 220) at a museum in Yunmeng County, the city of Xiaogan.

After learning about the content of the slips and their value, Xi stressed intensified archaeological research to provide a solid foundation for carrying forward fine traditional Chinese culture and boosting cultural confidence.

Before the invention of paper, bamboo and wooden slips were the primary writing medium in ancient China. They have been discovered in various parts of the country, offering a rare glimpse into the nation’s time-honored history.

On Tuesday morning, Xi visited a vegetable farm in Jiayu County, the city of Xianning.

Noting that technological progress is essential for modern agricultural development, he urged local officials and residents to embrace technological advancements and further boost vegetable production to bring tangible benefits to more people.

He then traveled to a village in Jiayu to inspect local elderly care facilities and community services. He called for more targeted measures to address public concerns, with a focus on the needs of older people and children.

Xi visited a villager’s home and talked with the family about their livelihood and access to medical and elderly care services.

As villagers bid him a fond farewell, Xi said that to advance Chinese modernization, efforts must be made to speed up rural revitalization. He encouraged the villagers to boost the economic returns of specialty industries and make their village more beautiful under the Party’s leadership.

On Tuesday afternoon, Xi inspected the Wuhan Institute of Industrial Innovation and Development, where he learned about the achievements of the technological innovation supply chain platform and talked with researchers and business leaders.

He called on scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs to contribute to boosting the overall performance of China’s innovation system and modernizing its industrial system.

On Wednesday morning, Xi was briefed on the work of the CPC provincial committee and the provincial government of Hubei, and he acknowledged the province’s achievements.

Hubei should forge ahead to bring about new achievements in technological and industrial innovation, Xi said, noting that the province should enhance research to achieve more fruitful results in developing core technologies in key fields and develop new quality productive forces in accordance with its local conditions.

Xi stressed that restoring the eco-environment of the Yangtze River is a top priority.

He also said that Hubei needs to integrate itself comprehensively into the unified national market, promote the positive interplay and common development of businesses under all forms of ownership, and participate actively in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Hubei should strive to deliver in the integrated development of its urban and rural areas, as well as comprehensive rural revitalization, Xi said.

He urged the province to center on the metropolitan areas of Wuhan to advance the coordinated development of city clusters in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

He also called for efforts to consolidate and expand poverty alleviation achievements, accelerate the revitalization and development of old revolutionary base areas, and ensure the people’s well-being through solid work on various fronts.

Xi underlined the importance of boosting cultural resource protection and the innovative development of the cultural sector, enhancing origin-tracing studies and exhibitions of the Yangtze River civilization, and developing the cultural tourism sector into a pillar industry.

Noting that the year 2024 will end in less than two months, Xi stressed the need to push forward with various work, especially the economic work, in an effective and solid manner, so as to deliver on the economic and social development goals for the whole year.

November 7, 2024
How the CIIE is a catalyst for China-Africa synergy and shared prosperity

Two months later, the 7th CIIE opened in Shanghai. Various African products were showcased, and investment talks took place, aiming to turn China’s big market into an ample opportunity.

China’s sincerity in continuing to open up has been showcased to the world through the CIIE, as well as its principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith toward Africa.

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Since its first edition in 2018, the CIIE has leveraged China’s vast market advantages and served as a vital platform for international procurement, investment promotion, and openness and cooperation. As China opens its door to Africa wider, more agricultural products are joining the CIIE to gain a share of the Chinese market.

Ethiopian coffee is a familiar presence at the expo. Since its debut in 2019, Ethiopian coffee has gained significant recognition and increased visibility in the Chinese market, said Ruth Wondosen Tesfaye from Addis Coffee.

“CIIE offers a unique platform to engage directly with consumers and distributors, which will be invaluable for enhancing our export strategies,” Ruth told Xinhua in Shanghai, adding that China’s large market and increasing demand for unique products, such as coffee from Ethiopia, present immense potential for African businesses.

This is the first CIIE for Madagascar’s mutton products this year. China imported its first mutton from Africa in September when mutton from Madagascar was cleared at Changsha Customs in central China.

Michel Anondraka, director general of agriculture and livestock at Madagascar’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that China’s huge market would boost production for local livestock farmers and speed up the African country’s agricultural modernization.

Tanzanian honey also made its debut this year. “This expo is a significant opportunity for honey businesses across Tanzania, as it not only paves the way for our products to enter the Chinese market but also marks a solid step for Tanzanian honey brands in the global market,” said Jackson Mponela, production manager for commerce and development at Tanzania Future Enterprises Company Limited, which produces, processes, packages, and sells beekeeping products.

Khozeni Farming from South Africa joined this year’s expo for the first time with their avocados. Nkateko Khoza, CEO of the farming company, told Xinhua that the Chinese market will bring new growth opportunities for the South African avocado industry, adding that the opportunity will allow the company to at least double its growth in the next three to five years.

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Philip Myburgh, group head of trade at Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking, told Xinhua in a written interview that policy support is one of the main drivers of the growing economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa.

He explained that under the FOCAC, there are broad initiatives supporting African countries’ participation in the CIIE to facilitate trade.

Since the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference in 2021, China and Africa have steadily advanced the forum’s initiatives, including the “green channel” for African agricultural products entering China. Inspection and quarantine processes have been expedited, and tariff exemptions expanded, benefiting Africa’s flower industry, avocado, citrus, coffee and other agricultural products.

China’s trade promotion measures have significantly boosted Africa’s exports to China. In the first nine months of this year, China’s imports from Africa reached 626.74 billion yuan (about 87 billion U.S. dollars), marking a 10.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the General Administration of Customs.

This year, the CIIE welcomes Mauritian sugar. Since the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2021, Mauritius’s sugar industry has seen opportunities in the Chinese market.

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops on the island, which is known as the “Sweet Island.” Once accounting for nearly a third of the country’s GDP and over 90 percent of export revenue, the sugar industry still contributes over 2 percent to Mauritius’ GDP.

Devesh Dukhira, CEO of the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate, told Xinhua that the Chinese market’s long-term contribution will be substantial, thanks to the CIIE and the China-Mauritius FTA.

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This year at the CIIE, the Global South is heavily featured. The 7th Hongqiao International Economic Forum has spotlighted “Sustainable Development of Global South and China-Africa Cooperation” as a key topic for discussion, aiming to offer insights and recommendations for fostering inclusive growth within the least developed countries.

Myburgh said the CIIE can play a crucial role in helping developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development by providing access to new markets, investments, technology, and knowledge.

China has always been committed to promoting South-South cooperation. During this year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit, China announced it has decided to give all the least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. This has made China the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a step.

The action plan, adopted at the Beijing summit, which outlined 10 partnership initiatives to guide the next phase of China-Africa cooperation, could have a far-reaching impact on the people of Africa, said Peter Kagwanja, Chief Executive at the Africa Policy Institute in Kenya.

“What we appreciate is the fact that China is opening up the market for Africa,” he told Xinhua at this year’s CIIE. “China is a real and true friend of Africa.”

November 7, 2024
Ethiopian Airlines receives Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000

The passenger plane, named “Ethiopia: Land of Origins,” landed Tuesday at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Speaking at the official welcoming ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said with the addition of the A350-1000, Ethiopian Airlines is poised to expand its global reach, connecting more destinations across five continents.

“The A350-1000 is the first of four airplanes we will receive in the coming few months. The addition of A350-1000 aircraft into our fleet represents our desire to continue leading the aviation sector in Africa and effectively compete in the aviation industry worldwide,” Tasew said.

The A350-1000 variant has 395 passenger seats across business and economy classes, making it the largest aircraft in Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet.

“The A350-1000 aircraft is built with state-of-the-art aerodynamics, a carbon-fiber fuselage, and the most fuel-efficient technology, reducing 25 percent carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous generations’ twin-aisle aircraft,” Tasew added.

For his part, Hadi Akoum, representative of Airbus, said the A350-1000 aircraft is the first of its kind to be operated by an Africa-based operator and will enable Ethiopian Airlines to enhance its premium service and reduce operating costs.

“With its state-of-the-art technology, the A350-1000 is better environmentally friendly and offers the largest business class, to reduce operating costs per seat,” Akoum said.

Ethiopian Airlines has become one of the fastest-growing carriers globally since it started operations in 1946.

According to the company, it commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operation, with its youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.

November 7, 2024
Rwanda’s agricultural exports reach $3.2 billion over five years

In the 2023/2024 fiscal year alone, agricultural exports generated $839.2 million (around Frw1.1 trillion), a slight decrease from the previous year’s $857.2 million (approximately Frw1.2 trillion).

The export volume for this period included 261.6 million kilograms of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, contributing $233.6 million (over Frw317 billion) to the economy.

Across the five years, Rwanda exported 170.8 million kilograms of vegetables, 86.4 million kilograms of fruits, and 4.3 million kilograms of flowers, earning $128.5 million, $79.5 million, and $25.4 million, respectively, from each category.

Air transportation advancements have significantly boosted export capacity. For example, in 2023, RwandAir cargo flights transported 4,595 tons of goods to major markets in Dubai, the UK, and Belgium.

The Rwandan government has prioritized agricultural development as a key component of its National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), targeting a 6% annual growth in the sector.

Efforts focus on increasing market-driven production, expanding irrigated land to 85%, and promoting the use of fertilizers and high-quality seeds to boost output by more than 50%.

These goals are in line with Rwanda’s Fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA5), backed by a $5.4 billion budget (over Frw7 trillion), which seeks to modernize the sector and drive self-sufficiency while turning farming into a business-oriented activity.

NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana underscored this goal during an event where exporters were provided with nine refrigerated trucks worth over Frw829 million to maintain the quality of perishable goods during transport.

At the event, Marie Ange Claudine Ingabire, Managing Director of Tropi Wanda, an agricultural export company, also received a cold truck.

Since 2020, her business has expanded from 8 employees to a team of 321, along with 2,000 contracted farmers. Tropi Wanda now exports 82 tons of vegetables and fruits weekly, including chili peppers, passion fruits, and avocados.

Ingabire highlighted the company’s efforts to “establish markets, develop cold storage to reduce losses, and utilize cargo planes for timely exports.” She expressed her commitment to boosting production to meet NST2 targets without interruptions.

The Rwandan government has set an ambitious goal to double exports across sectors from $3.5 billion to $7.3 billion over the next five years.

Under PSTA5, agricultural exports alone are projected to grow from $857 million in 2022/2023 to nearly $2 billion, while creating 644,000 jobs in the agriculture value chain, up from the current 400,000.

November 7, 2024
China import expo attractive to global exhibitors as country pledges further opening-up

The business exhibition of the world’s first national-level exposition dedicated to imports has attracted about 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions this year. Notably, a record high of 297 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders are attending the six-day expo. And more than 400 new products, new technologies and new services are unveiled.

Experts believe the large scale of the expo highlighted the global companies’ confidence in the Chinese market and their commitment to further development in China despite the sluggish global economic recovery.

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China is willing to open up its enormous market further and will continue to expand market access to sectors including telecommunications, the internet, education, culture and healthcare in an orderly fashion, Premier Li said in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 7th CIIE.

The sound fundamentals of the Chinese economy remain unchanged, according to Li, adding that the country’s new growth drivers are fast-growing, with double-digit investment growth in high-tech industries and development booms in emerging industries including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the green economy.

During a meeting on Monday with select exhibitors and buyers attending the expo, Li said that China is able to sustain steady economic recovery, improve the quality and capacity of its market, and provide more extensive growth space for global businesses in terms of trade, investment and innovation. He added that the Chinese market is still one of the best choices for companies worldwide.

The keen interest from global participants has shown the growing influence of the CIIE and the charm of the Chinese market and also highlighted China’s determination to push forward the building of an open world economy, said Zhao Fujun, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

In 2018, China inaugurated the CIIE to build an open platform for international trade cooperation and to support free trade and economic globalization, making it a “golden gateway” to the world’s second-largest consumer market.

More than 420 billion U.S. dollars worth of tentative deals were signed at the CIIE’s earlier six editions since 2018. Beyond the event, global companies can reach a larger customer base and make further investments in the country.

Toshinobu Umetsu, president and CEO of Shiseido China, said he is very inspired and encouraged by Premier Li’s emphasis on China’s commitment to continuing high-level opening-up and to sharing development opportunities with the rest of the world.

The Japanese cosmetics giant will continue to strengthen its long-term investment in China. It has never wavered in its confidence and determination to invest in China, as the incredible vitality and resilience of the Chinese market make it a very important international market, Umetsu said.

German healthcare and agribusiness giant Bayer AG is among more than 180 companies and institutions that have attended all seven editions of the CIIE since 2018.

Bayer’s participation at the expo demonstrates its unwavering commitment to this important market, said Bill Anderson, chairman of Bayer AG Management Board.

“International cooperation and economic globalization are important factors in the world’s development. That’s why Bayer is glad to be part of the expo for the seventh consecutive year,” said Anderson.

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The CIIE unlocks new opportunities for the world, Bayer said, adding that it will actively leverage this vital platform to continuously unleash its innovative potential while looking forward to forging partnerships with global collaborators.

Penne Kehl, Asia Pacific Group president of Cargill Agriculture and Trading, expects a very busy schedule at the import expo, including meeting with customers and partners and signing a few important deals and partnerships. U.S. food giant Cargill has participated in CIIE for seven consecutive years.

As its influence grows, the expo is attracting new foreign enterprises over the years. Canadian sportswear giant Lululemon is among the first-time participants.

The Chinese mainland is Lululemon’s largest market outside of North America and is also one of the most dynamic and exciting ones, which is key to driving the company’s international business, said Calvin McDonald, CEO of Lululemon.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the brand, drive awareness to our growth story and what we have planned for the future,” said McDonald. He added that Lululemon will continue to open more stores in the country, adding to its current 137 stores in 41 cities.

China offers free booths and other support measures to 37 least-developed countries to help them showcase their products at the import expo. It also expanded the exhibition area for African agricultural products.

China has been opening up its market to Africa, enabling transformation on the African continent, said Peter Kagwanja, founder and president of the Africa Policy Institute.

November 7, 2024
Chinese premier pledges further opening up at import expo

Li made the remarks during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai.

Hosting the CIIE is an important measure for China to expand opening up and cooperation, representing China’s solemn commitment to the world, Li said.

If the first CIIE was a one-way invitation from China to the world, then each subsequent edition has become a mutual commitment between China and the world, reflecting the shared aspiration for opening up and cooperation, the premier said.

Li stressed the need to strengthen consensus on opening up, adding that all parties should jointly adhere to international economic and trade orders and rules and earnestly fulfill multilateral and bilateral economic and trade agreements.

China will further expand institutional opening up and actively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, Li said, pledging efforts to implement the strategy for upgrading pilot free trade zones.

Li said the country is willing to open up its enormous market further, including implementing the unilateral opening up and offering zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines from the least developed countries, and effectively turn the huge market into great global opportunities.

China firmly safeguards the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core and supports developing countries in sharing more benefits of globalization, Li said.

He said China stands ready to continue close coordination and cooperation with all parties in international economic organizations, take the lead in exploring the implementation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, and join efforts to build an open world economy.

“The fundamentals of the Chinese economy remain sound, and the Chinese government is capable of promoting steady economic growth and contributing more to global development and the welfare of humanity,” said the premier.

In their speeches at the ceremony, foreign leaders and heads of international organizations remarked that the CIIE has become an important international platform for promoting trade and investment and boosting opening up and cooperation.

They voiced their confidence in the Chinese economy and its prospect, and expressed willingness to advance cooperation with China in jointly building the Belt and Road as well as in areas such as economy, trade, connectivity and green development, maintain free trade, and promote equality, progress and sustainable development in the world.

November 6, 2024