CIIE demonstrates benefits of opening-up

By Wang Ke, Qiu Chaoyi, Han Xiaoming, Wang Xiaobo

The second China International Import Expo (CIIE) recently raised its curtain, and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, proposing that all countries work together to build an open world economy through cooperation, with innovation, and for mutual benefits.

The exhibition halls of the second CIIE, presenting the splendor of state-of-the-art technologies, are revealing the charm of openness.

At the exhibition sector for food and agricultural products, aroma is being exuded. Turkish chefs are presenting freshly-made specialties while Spanish hams are ready to serve the lines.

I am glad to introduce more Thai products to China, said Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister of Thailand, saying he would like to be a “salesman” for his country.

Leading a delegation of Thai enterprises to the second CIIE, Laksanawisit remarked that the CIIE reflects China’s confidence in and determination of opening up and provides a good platform for other countries to display their own products.

Tech giant ABB Group from Switzerland presented more than 40 technological innovations from eight countries, among which a waste-sorting robot was a major highlight.

By hosting the CIIE and taking a series of measures to further open up and improve the business environment, China has provided more opportunities for international companies, said Zhang Zhiqiang, senior vice-president of ABB Group and president of ABB China.

During the past year since the first CIIE, China has actively opened its market and fulfilled its opening-up promises, and this has been recognized by exhibitors attending the second CIIE. Five measures were announced by Xi this time to bring about opening-up at an even higher level, which indicates that China will open its door only wider to the world.

Heated discussion has been conducted by Chinese dealers and Mexican exhibitors at a booth shared by Mexican food enterprises, where tequila, avocados, coffee, and chili sauce are displayed.

The huge market of China, through further opening up, has created a dream platform for global enterprises, said Noemi Sanchez, a Mexican coffee exporter.

“The CIIE is a grand event for global exporters.” Sergio Ley Lopez, head of the delegation of Mexican enterprises. Lopez, who is also the chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of Mexico’s Council of Trade, Investment and Technology, believes that the Expo would create more business opportunities for multinational enterprises, and also serves as a golden opportunity for small- and medium-sized exporters.

At the exhibition booth of the Zambian pavilion, dazzling products are being showcased, including honey, moringa seeds, jewelries, crops, and handicrafts.

Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia, told People’s Daily that the CIIE has opened a window for the world to share China’s development opportunities. The minister, who has led an enterprise delegation to the event on behalf of the Zambian government, said the CIIE will not only help Zambian enterprises introduce their quality products to China, but also find them cooperation partners and expand their production.

Wei Moline, President of the Greater China of 3M, said the Expo has built an excellent platform for multinational companies to connect and communicate with each other.

At the first CIIE, a hearing protection earmuff model of the company became a hit, and this year, 3M made its appearance again and brought more innovative products and cutting-edge technologies.

3M will take more innovation and technologies to the Chinese market through the Expo, Moline told People’s Daily.

China General Technology (Group) Holding Co. Ltd. signed considerable deals at the first CIIE, and this time, the company once again made huge purchases of advanced devices, including a large number of the latest and powerful medical measurement equipment, such as one made by Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche. The Roche instrument is able to finish the blood tests that used to cost 6 vacutainers of blood with only one, largely improving the precision and efficiency of medical measurement.

“In the first quarter after the first CIIE, the search volume of our products tripled, and in the first quarter of this year, our sales volume nearly doubled,” said Cha Sheng, general manager of VorWerk China, a company committed to household appliance production.

This year, VorWerk has brought new products such as multi-function food processors, vacuum cleaners and intelligent tea makers to the Expo. “We hope to bring quality life to more Chinese families,” the general manager added.

Source: People’s Daily

A girl plays with Lego blocks at the quality life section of the second CIIE. (Photo by Weng Qiyu from People’s Daily)