With less than 100 days left before its grand opening, the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is gearing up for a successful event in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Organizers are diligently working on preparations to ensure the seamless execution of this prominent global trade fair.
Sun Chenghai, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, has confirmed that the upcoming expo will retain its signature components, including the country exhibition, business exhibition, Hongqiao International Economic Forum (Hongqiao Forum), and various supporting activities, along with cultural and people-to-people exchange programs.
At the heart of the expo lies the resumption of the offline Country Exhibition, featuring guest countries of honor. These nations will have the opportunity to showcase their scientific and technological innovations, advantageous industries, and investment environments through interactive exhibitions and booths.
Many countries have already expressed their commitment to participating in the sixth CIIE, and prestigious international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and International Trade Centre are also expected to contribute to the event.
One of the highlights of this year’s CIIE is the expanded exhibition area of the China pavilion, which will now cover a record 2,500 square meters, showcasing the nation’s latest achievements in high-level openness and high-quality growth. Additionally, a dedicated area will be dedicated to showcasing the accomplishments of China’s pilot free trade zones over the past decade.
The sixth CIIE will continue to feature six specialized exhibition areas: food and agricultural products, automobiles, intelligent industry and information technology, consumer goods, medical equipment and healthcare products, and trade in services.
Enthusiasm among enterprises for participating in the event is high, with a notable increase in the number of Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises compared to the previous session. Some major attendees include fifteen top car manufacturers, the top ten medical instrument companies, top ten industrial electrical enterprises, top three mining giants, top four accounting firms, and the top five freight forwarders.
Diversity will be the key theme for the sixth CIIE, as it plans to highlight energy, low-carbon and environmental protection technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation incubation. The expo will also enhance its health and elderly care sections and introduce a new “maternal and infant care” category.
To provide additional value and support to exhibitors, the CIIE will host an energy development summit, a forum on cooperation in the seed industry, and an international wellness industry conference, fostering innovation and fostering fruitful collaborations.
The sixth Hongqiao Forum will explore the core theme of “global openness” while emphasizing its role as an “international public goods” platform. A main forum and the “Invest in China Year” summit will be part of this insightful event, culminating in the release of the World Openness Report 2023. Various sub-forums will focus on open development, cooperation, innovation, and sharing.
The customs department has also stepped up its efforts to facilitate the expo. On July 20, a notice was issued on customs clearance for the sixth CIIE, outlining 19 supportive policies to ensure smooth operations. These include on-site consulting services by officials, extended validity of ATA Carnet certificates, and support for permanent bonded display transactions.
A new supportive measure allows animal and plant products and food from countries or regions free from animal and plant epidemics to join the exhibition after obtaining special approvals, streamlining the process for participants.
In conclusion, the preparations for the sixth CIIE are well underway, and all signs point to yet another successful and impactful event that fosters international cooperation, trade, and innovation. The CIIE continues to be a shining example of China’s commitment to global openness and economic integration.
