Visitors purchase wool products from a Mongolian exhibitor at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 9 November (HU FAN) 

At Namibia’s national pavilion at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), the air is filled with a light botanical fragrance as visitors crowd around displays of baobab-based skincare products. Among the exhibitors is Tuli-Line, a Namibian company specialising in baobab powder and oil. After selling out completely and securing multiple business partnerships at last year’s CIIE, the company has returned with an expanded product range. “Thanks to the CIIE, I’ve discovered the tremendous potential of baobab products in the Chinese market,” said Tulimeyo Kaapanda, the company’s managing director, in an interview with People’s Daily.  

Held in Shanghai from 5 to 10 November, the eighth CIIE drew 4,108 foreign businesses from 155 countries, regions and international organisations. The value of intended transactions reached $83.49 billion, up 4.4 percent from the previous edition, setting a new record. Over the past eight years, the CIIE has grown into both a gateway for the global economy to China and a vital bridge linking China with the rest of the world. Amid growing headwinds to globalisation, it continues to inject renewed certainty into the global economy. 

The expo was the first major economic diplomacy event in China held after the fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in October, which outlined priorities for advancing high-level openness and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. The timing of the expo underscored China’s commitment to an open global economy and shared development. 

An exhibitor plays African drum in the Asia-Africa Products Sub-area at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 9 November (HU FAN) 

Win-win cooperation  

From cutting-edge intelligent equipment to sophisticated consumer goods and breakthrough medicines, a number of world-firsts unveiled in Asia, and in particular, China, drew the attention of professionals and visitors alike. 

According to Wu Zhengping, deputy director general of the CIIE Bureau, “Through this platform, we are establishing initiatives such as Export to China, Invest in China and Buy in China. The goal is to ease the entry of more products into the Chinese market, making China the preferred destination for exports from many countries.” 

A total of 180 businesses have participated in the eight CIIE editions held so far. The first seven expos generated more than $500 billion in intended agreements. This year, both the exhibition area and the number of participating firms reached new highs. The vast Chinese market is increasingly becoming a significant global opportunity. 

At this year’s expo, French biopharmaceutical giant Sanofi drew attention with the first ever global launch of two innovative medicines. Having participated in all eight editions, Sanofi has introduced over 60 new drugs and vaccines to China through the CIIE. 

“It has become so much easier to come to China,” said Roy van den Hurk, CEO of dairy group Milk New Zealand. He praised the ongoing easing of the visa policy, which facilitates economic and trade exchanges. In his view, the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement and the CIIE work hand-in-hand, boosting commerce and exemplifying China’s steady progress in institutional opening up. 

To date, China has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries and regions. The number of countries benefitting from unilateral visa exemptions or visa-free transit has now grown to 47 and 55, respectively. China has also continually reduced its negative list for investment access. These measures have helped to pave the way for high-quality development driven by the broader opening up.  

“Let the vast Chinese market become a testing ground, a launch pad, and a source of returns for global innovation,” Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping said at a press briefing. The CIIE will continue to promote trade and investment facilitation, intellectual property protection, and various forms of openness and innovation, providing a stable, transparent, and predictable business environment, he added. 

An exhibitor plays African drum in the Asia-Africa Products Sub-area at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 9 November (HU FAN) 

Global public good   

The CIIE also serves as an international public good open to all. This edition offered free exhibition stands to exhibitors from 37 least developed countries and provided them with favourable tax policies. The area dedicated to African products was expanded, and African countries with diplomatic ties with China were encouraged to fully benefit from duty-free access on 100 percent of tariff lines. In total, 163 companies from least developed countries participated in this year’s CIIE, up 23.5 percent year on year. 

Hassan Mohammed, deputy commissioner at Nigeria’s Consulate General in Shanghai, has represented his country at the CIIE for eight consecutive years. In September 2024, China opened its market to Nigerian peanuts, now eligible for zero tariffs. This year, there has been a noticeable rise in buyers seeking information about purchasing opportunities. “The CIIE enables us to showcase our products and facilitates direct contacts between Chinese and Nigerian businesses, fostering excellent commercial partnerships,” he said. 

Thanks to the CIIE, African countries are riding the “Eastern Express,” a fast track to the Chinese market. In the Quality African Products zone, 13 companies showcased over 140 iconic products: shea butter cosmetics from Mali, Ghanaian cocoa, Madagascan vanilla pods - each finding its way into the daily life of Chinese consumers through the expo. 

The 2025 edition strengthened its collaboration with Belt and Road partner countries, with enterprises from 123 nations participating in the expo, a 23.1-percent increase over last year. At the same time, the Global South is emerging as a dynamic force within the CIIE. For the first time, the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held in tandem with the CIIE, focused on the economic resilience of the Global South and the sustainable development of its agriculture, bringing together international expertise to support inclusive, people-centred advancement.  

“The CIIE contributes to the development of African countries. For the least developed countries, access to the global market and participation in international trade are essential,” said Eunice M. Tembo Luambia, permanent representative of Zambia to the UN in Geneva, in an interview with People’s Daily. 

A view of the venue of the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on 4 November (XINHUA) 

Expanded openness  

At the eighth CIIE opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Qiang noted that the proposals from the fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee concerning the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) would bring greater certainty to China’s economic and social development in the coming years, in terms of both development and openness. 

The 15th Five-Year Plan promotes a steady expansion of institutional openness, reiterates support for the multilateral trade system, and stresses progress and reform through greater openness. The CIIE witnessed the launch of the 2025 World Openness Report and the latest World Openness Index. The data show that while overall global openness has tightened slightly, China is making notable advances in opening up to the world. From 1990 to 2024, China’s openness index rose from 0.5891 to 0.7634, a 29.6-percent increase - one of the largest gains worldwide. 

In an interview with China Youth Daily, Shen Guobing, a professor at Fudan University, noted that the CIIE, by promoting integration between Chinese and foreign enterprises and strengthening industrial and supply chains, helps to counter trade protectionism. More than just a platform for display and sales, the CIIE has evolved into a multipolar “super router” encompassing policy analysis, high-level dialogues, and investment facilitation, providing businesses of all sizes with an effective interface to engage in China’s development. 

Openness and cooperation are the “golden keys” to prosperity and development. For participants, engaging with China means engaging with opportunity. “China will continue to broaden its opening up and make its vast market an opportunity for the whole world,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.