Global leaders participated in the opening ceremony of the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Wednesday by delivering video speeches.

World leaders including Pakistani President Arif Alvi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated China for successfully holding the event in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed their high expectations for the event.

Pakistani President Arif Alvi said the third CIIE has shown the world how China managed to contain COVID-19, and it offers an opportunity for the world to enhance cooperation and trade in face of the pandemic. In his speech, he said China and Pakistan have enjoyed a deep and solid friendship for decades, and he hopes that the relationship between the two could be further developed in the future. 

The president added that the third phase trial of COVID-19 vaccine was being conducted in Pakistan with Chinese collaboration and the vaccine will not only benefit Pakistan, but the world at large. 

President Arif Alvi pointed out the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative now in its second phase, focuses on the energy and infrastructure sectors. The development of the social sector, agriculture and establishment of industry are at its core. The president said that the Special Economic Zones being established in Pakistan will attract investments from China and the rest of the world.  

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as the entire country for hosting the third CIIE, terming it an important event at a time when the world is embarking on the road to economic recovery. He said China is a long-standing trade partner of African countries, and he hopes that there will be more African companies' participation in the event. He also expressed gratitude to China for its assistance in medical equipment and supplies during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is a solid testament of China's commitment to Africa. He added that it is proved that multilateral cooperation is key to not only the fight against the coronavirus, but all the challenges the world may face in the future. 

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also congratulated China on hosting the third CIIE, saying the event has provided a good opportunity for companies around the world.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed felicitations on the opening of the third CIIE, saying the event is an important import-themed national level expo for global companies, especially amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said China is a key market for the Spanish people. "A good collaboration matters a lot regarding international trades, climate change and humanities," he said. "Global economy has been hit hard by COVID-19 this year. The value of world trade is decreasing as well and the crisis is widening the gap between the rich and the poor. At this time, cooperation is essential to fight against the pandemic as Spain is taking this platform to build a better future with China," he said.

Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape also sent a congratulatory video for the CIIE. He thanked the Chinese government for organizing the event, and expressed his gratitude to China for its help in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.