STRONG SIGNALS

The sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) kicked off at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai on November 5,2023.(YIN LIQIN)

The sixth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Shanghai in early November.This was the first time the global economic and trade event was fully resumed offline since the COVID-19 pandemic,and it welcomed a record number of exhibitors.Joining the consistent enthusiasm from ASEAN countries,the United States sent official representatives in the “strongestever delegation” to the CIIE,headed by Jason Hafemeister,acting deputy under-secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs for the U.S.Department of Agriculture.All parties considered this year’s event particularly important and harbored high hopes for its ability to enhance trade cooperation with China.

The world’s multilateral trading system has entered its most difficult period in more than 70 years,and trade protectionism continues spreading globally.Many countries are tracking whether China,the world’s second-largest economy and an important consumer market,can maintain high-level openingup and work with the United States,the EU,and other large economies to boost trade liberalization and facilitation while promoting multilateral trade rules.The sixth CIIE was intended to send positive signals to foster global growth and facilitate international economic and trade cooperation.