The 9th China International Import Expo: A Showcase of Unity and Opportunity in Global Markets

The 9th China International Import Expo: Opportunities Unveiled

On November 5, the atmosphere was electric at the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in the bustling city of Shanghai. As guests arrived—two hours ahead of the event—they were seen capturing selfies, engaging in lively conversations, and experiencing a sense of camaraderie. Notably, the predominant themes evoked during these interactions were "opportunity," "openness," and "market."

Held from November 5 to 10, the CIIE attracted an impressive 4,142 foreign exhibitors, covering an exhibition space that exceeded 440,000 square meters. The event marked a record for the most global, Asian, or China product debuts, with over 480 entries slated to make their first appearances. Moreover, close to 200 companies have participated in all nine editions of this significant event, demonstrating their unwavering investment in China's evolving market.

During his keynote address, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang expressed the event's significance as a reflection of China’s commitment to high-quality openness and underscored the fruitful collaborations stemming from shared global opportunities. His remarks resonated deeply with attendees, particularly among leaders from multinational corporations. As Rogier Janssens, President of Merck China, explained, "CIIE brings the world closer to China, thereby amplifying China's voice in international dialogues."

This year's CIIE emphasized not just the importance of market share but also collaboration and innovation. As Anna An, President of Henkel China, noted, Ding’s speech reinforced the company's confidence in long-term growth within the Chinese market. Similarly, Poh-Yian Koh, President of FedEx China, echoed the sentiment of steadfast dedication to fostering an open global economy.

The expo saw participation from various countries, with U.S. exhibitors occupying a notable area of over 50,000 square meters, leading for the eighth consecutive year as participants from Germany, the UK, and France also ranked among the top contributors. Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, emphasized the crucial role CIIE plays for American soybean exporters, declaring, "If you’re conducting business in China, you cannot afford to miss this event."

The essence of the CIIE resonates in the sentiments of various representatives in attendance. Claudiu Nasui, Moldova's Minister of Economic Development, described his country’s wine production capacity and expressed aspirations for deeper market penetration in China. Toshinobu Umetsu, CEO of Shiseido China, reiterated the importance of innovating products tailored to the unique preferences of Chinese consumers.

China's Expanding Role in Global Trade

Recent findings from a report by Beijing Normal University elaborated on China's increasing prominence in global exports. Anticipating continued growth, the report predicts that between 2001 and 2025, the share of global exports directed toward China will see a steady upward trajectory.

China’s market has solidified its standing not only as a massive consumer base but also as a key player in global trade dynamics. Holding the title of the world’s second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years, the nation saw its imports exceed 90 trillion yuan during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), with an accelerated pace reported as its imports surged by 22.3 percent in the first nine months of 2026.

This transformation aligns with growing consumer demands in China, evident from the rise of a middle-income demographic that propels the need for diverse products and services ranging from health-focused foods to cosmetics and leisure activities. Notably, innovations and adaptations from the European-based Pierre Fabre Group resonated strongly, reflecting the vitality and potential that the Chinese market offers.

From the perspectives of multinational corporations, the journey of rooting their businesses in China transcends merely capitalizing on market dividends; it embodies a desire to integrate deeply with China's ecosystem, creating opportunities for innovation. Experts predict that the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will usher in yet another wave of growth prospects in social consumption and services.

As Luz Ma de la Mora from UNCTAD's Division on International Trade and Commodities highlighted, the CIIE serves as a bridge to understanding the foundational needs of the Chinese market while encouraging greater participation from developing nations. Moreover, the discussions at CIIE also pointed to possibilities where Chinese companies could assist their counterparts in various countries, facilitating integration into both the Chinese supply chain and global markets.

With this year's CIIE encapsulating the robust collaboration potential between nations, it exemplifies a renewed commitment to fostering an open economy, driven by engagement, shared interests, and opportunities for global growth.