The CIIE has not only enabled exhibits to become traded goods and exhibitors to spot more investment opportunities, but also facilitated an exchange of new and creative ideas, and better connected China and the wider world.
* As an important force in the world in technological innovation, China is trying to turn the CIIE into a platform wher the world's advanced technologies can join forces and meet the market to benefit more people around the globe.
* The 5th edition of the CIIE, the first international fair to be held by China after the 20th CPC National Congress, is an important window for global observers to learn more about Chinese modernization, as well as its implications for the common development worldwide.
BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- At the second China International import Expo (CIIE) in 2019, a robot displayed in the booth of the French sporting goods retailer Decathlon caught the eyes of many visitors. Featuring a combination of radio frequency identification and artificial intelligence (AI), the robot called Dibao can substantially boost the efficiency of inventory management at physical stores.
The idea on Dibao was sparked at the very first edition of the CIIE, wher the French firm came across an AI robot company, and the two parties soon embarked on a robot project that integrated advanced technologies from China, France and Germany. Nowadays, Dibao has been deployed in dozens of Decathlon stores across China, drawing wide interest from overseas markets.
Dibao's success is just one of many stories of how the CIIE has brought together ideas, innovations, technologies as well as business opportunities over the past five years. The world can expect more this year.
Since its inception, the CIIE has not only "enabled exhibits to become traded goods and exhibitors to spot more investment opportunities," but also "facilitated an exchange of new and creative ideas, and better connected China and the wider world," said Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the third CIIE.
This aerial photo taken on Oct. 31, 2021 shows the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, east China. (Photo by Jiang Zhongcheng/Xinhua)
PLATFORM FOR COOPERATION
From U.S. conglomerate Honeywell that plans to display more than 60 innovative products at the new expo, to Türkiye's edible oil company Savola Foods, the Norwegian Seafood Council, and many other enterprises eager to introduce specialties from their own countries, the exhibitors' enthusiasm is a testimony that the expo has become a show window for quality goods, a catalyst for innovation and an incubator of new partnerships.
The accumulated intended turnover at the previous four editions of the CIIE exceeded 270 billion U.S. dollars. The organizer said on Tuesday that representatives from a total of 145 countries, regions and international organizations will participate in this year's version, among whom are more than 280 industry leaders or the world's top 500 enterprises, with nearly 90 percent being repeat participants.
As a frequenter of the fair, Varian Medical Systems, a U.S. leading company in radiotherapy, has experienced China's progress in opening-up, and become even more determined to be rooted in the market, said Zhang Xiao, Varian vice-president and head of China operation.
A growing number of enterprises are leveraging the CIIE platform for global or China debuts, especially for their blockbuster products. At the four previous editions of the CIIE, exhibitors launched more than 1,500 new products, technologies and services, data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce showed, while debuts for this year are anticipated to outnumber those at the past events.
For example, apart from showcasing its robotic products including Tesla Bot, top U.S. electric automaker Tesla has decided to debut its Model S Plaid and S3XY in the Chinese mainland at this year's expo, it announced Monday.
The expo has provided an open, collaborative and mutually beneficial platform for global enterprises to share business opportunities in the Chinese market, said Vice President of Tesla Tao Lin.
Moreover, face-to-face exchanges make the expo an ideal venue to meet new friends. Ali Shariati-Moghadam, CEO of Iran's Novin Saffron company, deemed the CIIE as "a real-life small-scale global village" that allows firms to "meet and know each other better, exchange experiences and expand their businesses."
The CIIE's development in the past five years has vividly shown that the Chinese market is committed to be "a market for the world, a market shared by all, and a market accessible to all," as Xi put it at the 2020 expo.
U.S. conglomerate Honeywell displays its smart hospital solutions during the third China International import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)
