High popularity of second CIIE reveals vitality of Chinese economy

By Du Haitao, Yu Jingxian, Han Xin, Shen Wenmin from People’s Daily

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a platform for global enterprises, and also a mirror that reflects China’s economic vitality. The second CIIE currently being held in Shanghai is demonstrating the strong pulses of the Chinese economy.

●  High market demand bringing high popularity of the second CIIE

Paul Lindblad, President of international chemical company Wacker Chemicals, Greater China, told People’s Daily that the sales volume of the Greater China currently accounts for 20 percent of the group’s global total, and it had exceeded that in Germany as early as 2010, becoming the largest single market of the group. This year, coming to the CIIE for the second time, Wacker Chemicals has upgraded its booth to an independent one.

Over 500,000 professional buyers registered for this year’s CIIE, more than those in the first session. 39 trade groups and about 600 trade sub-groups consisting of enterprises from around the country participated the grand event. The numbers of professional buyers from different regions of China witnessed obvious increase, with some even doubling the figures in the previous year.

This year, all of China’s 97 central enterprises have established trade sub-groups, and their total number of professional buyers has reached 21,000, up by 4,000 from a year ago.

At the Matchmaking and Purchasing of Henan Cross-border E-commerce and Signing Conference of the second CIIE held on Nov. 6, Henan Bonded Logistics Center purchased a total of 3.22 billion yuan of imported products and services.

●  Technology contributing to innovation of Chinese enterprises

At the second CIIE, equipment and technological products are receiving close attention from professional buyers. The higher the technologies are, the more demand these products are seeing. It demonstrates the urgent need of the Chinese enterprises to promote their own innovation capability through foreign high-tech products.

Ji Nengping, chairman of Jiangsu Shanglong Water Supply Equipment Co., Ltd., told People’s Daily that they bought two sets of large processing equipment from a Spainish company at last year’s CIIE which could keep the error range within only 0.01 millimeter and improve processing efficiency by over three times. “Such equipment can not only improve product quality, but also promote independent innovation of enterprises,” Ji said.

Fabrice Megarbane, president and CEO of L'Oréal China, noted that China has become a “world lab”, and more and more innovation from the country is contributing huge energy to the development of the global economy.

●  Upgrading consumption structure leading to higher importance attached by manufacturers on quality

With a “beep” sound, two cups were filled with coffee of different tastes under a coffee maker made by Italian company De'Longhi exhibited at the second CIIE. The coffee maker attracted huge crowds at the Expo.

“As Chinese consumers are having strong demand of featured and quality products, China is now a giant and potential market for coffee consumption,” said Wang Yingpin, marketing manager of De'Longhi, introducing that all of the company’s coffee makers have been equipped with Chinese operation interfaces.

Deng Jianxin, general manager of an agricultural company from southwest China’s Guizhou province arrived in Shanghai on Nov. 5, hoping to find his company proper equipment producers at the second CIIE. “Though we are a startup, we are committed to becoming the world’s top processing company of roxburgh rose drinks,” Deng said.

A great number of small- and medium-sized companies just like Deng’s are attending the second CIIE. Thanks to China’s policies of tax and fees reduction, they are releasing stronger energy and becoming a major purchasing force at the event.

●  Merchants assured by China’s favorable business environment

“Upgraded 3D-print facial masks are expected to be introduced to Chinese stores soon,” said Gao Xin, general manager of marketing department of AmorePacific, a South Korean beauty and cosmetics conglomerate. Due to the restriction of policies, this product was not able to be introduced to the Chinese market during last year’s CIIE. Learning the information, related government officials visited the company and had relevant discussion, Gao noted.

“This year, we brought the second-generation of the 3D-print facial masks,” Gao told People’s Daily, adding that the print speed is four to five times faster than that of the previous generation. More importantly, these products are now totally accessible for Chinese consumers, Gao said.

This year, the efforts to protect intellectual property rights are a highlight of the CIIE. At the comprehensive service area, and the Service Center for IPR Protection and Commercial Dispute Resolution, which are inevitable passages for the exhibitors, relevant legal consultation and mediation services are provided.

Heads of attending foreign enterprises noted that China’s enhanced efforts to protect IPR have prominently improved the environment for innovation, and assured their confidence in the Chinese market.

Merchants and buyers negotiate during a matchmaking conference of the second CIIE. Photo by Qu Song from People’s Daily