All Eyes On CIIE

By Lan Xinzhen

CIIE promotes the construction of an open world economy,which is conducive to helping navigate trade protectionism and other challenges

T he recent sixth edition of China International Import Expo(CIIE) in Shanghai welcomed greater participation from companies from American countries than ever before.For the first time,the United States sent official representatives in the “strongest-ever 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,making headlines in both Chinese and international media.Honduras,which just established diplomatic relations with China last March,participated in the expo as a guest country of honor.Brazil,Mexico,Chile,Argentina,and Cuba,regular participants of the CIIE,also had a stronger presence,bringing more exhibitors and a greater variety of goods than to previous editions.

Why were the United States and other American countries so enthusiastic about the latest CIIE?Media reports and public opinion statements on the event from those countries provide some insight.

Promoting Win-win Cooperation

The first official U.S.delegation to the CIIE emerged as a media darling.The Associated Press reported that the CIIE,held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10,is an annual event that has demonstrated China’s support for trade liberalization since it started in 2018.Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony and pledged to continue“deepening reform,expanding free trade zones,and relaxing market access for foreign investment to generate excitement in a largely lackluster economy,” read the report.

Hayley Turck,a professor of economics at the Illinois Institute of Technology,called the CIIE a“symbol of China’s firm support for trade liberalization and economic globalization” that helps build a more open world economy and open more channels for global economic and trade exchanges.Against the backdrop of trade restrictions imposed by some countries,intensified geopolitical conflicts,and increasing uncertainty in the world economy,the CIIE has testified to China’s commitment to expanding openness to the outside world,he added.

Anderson Northwest,an Idahobased family business dealing in dry beans,was among the American exhibitors.Its president,Mike Anderson,said that Chinese market is stable,providing extensive space for cooperation.

DangDai magazine from Argentina reported on the participation of Argentine exhibitors,calling the expo a China-sponsored multidisciplinary exhibition targeting international suppliers.Within the framework of the CIIE,various businesses conducted trade talks with importers and marketers from China and other countries,read an article.

Preparing food at the U.S.Meat Export Federation(USMEF) booth in the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai),the venue of the sixth CIIE,on November 6,2023.(YIN LIQIN)

Brazil’s leading news website,Brasil 247,called the CIIE a global public good that upholds true multilateralism,rejects divisiveness,helps countries seek common development,and promotes the building of an open global economy,which is very important to the world facing serious challenges such as regional conflicts,trade protectionism,and economic slowdown.

Decoupling from China Unrealistic

Official U.S.participation in the CIIE inspired countries such as Australia and Japan to follow suit.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally led a delegation to the event,and the number of Japanese exhibitors tripled compared to last year.The governments of these countries have advocated and some still promote “decoupling”or “de-risking” from China,but those sentiments have been overpowered by the needs for economic growth and the huge potential of the Chinese market in the post-Pandemic era thanks to traits of openness,inclusiveness,solidarity,and win-win cooperation.

According to Bloomberg,U.S.Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said in a speech at the CIIE that Washington does not favor decoupling the two economies.“We want even greater trade,” he stressed.“The countries have an extraordinarily important economic relationship,and the CIIE proved to be an important platform to showcase American products and services.” Hafemeister echoed those sentiments,noting that China is the largest market for U.S.agricultural exports and a place American companies have seen great growth potential.Participating in the expo “can create greater confidence in businesses on both sides to sign contracts and do deals,and this relationship is important to both governments,” the official remarked.

Intel Corp.,among the biggest foreign exhibitors at the CIIE this year,said it remains positive about the Chinese market,according to the Bloomberg article.Zhou Bing,general manager of Intel China corporate affairs,announced on the sidelines of the expo that the chipmaker was working on developing 100 million PCs with AI capabilities by 2025,with the majority in China.

Sharing Chinese Opportunities

According to the official website of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil),23 Brazilian food and beverage companies participated in this year’s CIIE.Harnessing the opportunities afforded by China’s largest multi-industry exposition,the Brazilian companies directly communicated with Chinese clients and got closer to potential business partners from other countries as well.

Latin American news agency Prensa Latina highlighted Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s statement at the opening of the Expo that “China will continue to create huge market dividends for the world by advancing its opening-up.”

Venezuelan newspaper Correo del Orinoco cited Johan Alvarez Marquez,national superintendent of Special Economic Zones,who noted that the Venezuelan booth was recognized by leaders and officials from many countries and that the CIIE provided Venezuela opportunities for trade and international cooperation.

Tara Qu,chief representative of the China Office of the State of Idaho,said that Idaho has always valued the CIIE’s role as a super-sized import venue and the opportunities it brought.

Currently,global economic recovery still lacks momentum,requiring nations to work through challenges together to seize common development.In this context,the sixth CIIE was organized with hopes of promoting an open world economy and benefiting the world through win-win cooperation.This year also marks the 45th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up.Over those years,China’s leapfrog economic development has vigorously driven global economic growth,facilitating great success for foreign companies that remained bullish about and confidently embraced the Chinese market.This year’s CIIE served to maintain that momentum.

Against this backdrop,the latest edition of CIIE attracted more than 3,400 exhibitors from around the world and set records in exhibition area and the numbers of participating Global Fortune 500 companies,industry leaders,and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises.The CIIE has emerged as a major global business event.