Editor's note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs." The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

A large number of developing economies are in the low-and-middle links of the industrial chain, which makes it difficult for them to get their products out into major global markets – a situation exacerbated by the increasing anti-globalization sentiment. That's why China decided to make its annual international import expo a platform for developing countries with relatively weak economic foundations to showcase their products and have the same access to China's vast market as developed countries.

A tangible result of last year's expo is that jute handicrafts from Bangladesh began being sold in high-end malls and Zambian forest honey was moved onto the shelves of quite a few chain supermarkets. These are just two examples of the many products from other developing countries that have ended up in the shopping bags of China's consumers. In an effort to build on these successes, this year's China International Import Expo is again providing exhibitors from the least developed countries with two standard exhibition booths for free. It's also hosting several supply-demand matchmaking meetings for them.

Based on their experience at the expo last year, a lot of companies from developing countries have brought products tailor-made for China's consumers to Shanghai this week. For instance, an exhibitor from Brazil said they have specially developed small packaged acacia powder products that are more convenient to transport to China's market than juice. A representative from a brewery in Russia at the expo for the second year said his company has brought more varieties of beer to the event after being inspired by their achievements last year — they sold more than 100,000 cases within one year.

The enthusiasm developing countries have for the import expo has been boosted by China's persistence on mutually beneficial development. As the secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Mukhisa Kituyi, has said, China's import expo is meaningful, especially for developing countries, against the backdrop of rising protectionism and trade barriers. It reflects China's willingness to be friendly and united with developing countries.

China understands that integration into global trade is an inevitable course to prosperity and peaceful development. "By bringing companies from these very poor countries to China, introducing them to Chinese entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from elsewhere, the Chinese government has provided them with an opportunity to participate in global trade," said Keith Rockwell, a spokesman for the World Trade Organization. "This can be a route to prosperity and peaceful development." By participating in the import expo, developing countries have gained business opportunities. They've also benefited from China's sincere willingness to share the benefits of globalization, which will help to boost inclusive development around the world.

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