Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn and rising protectionism, participation from numerous multinational semiconductor companies in the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) demonstrates their "confidence in China's potential and determination to embrace the Chinese market," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday.

In response to some Western media's comments that the U.S. chip ban on China resulted in massive revenue losses for major chip companies but did not weaken the confidence of global chip companies in China, Zhao said it proves that China's promotion of high-quality development and opening up is in line with the trend of development and progress of the times.

"Taking the fifth CIIE as an opportunity, we will open the door wider and provide convenience for all enterprises coming to China for investment and business to create a more united and prosperous future for all," he said.

The spokesperson said the formation and development of the global chip industrial and supply chains are due to the combination of market rules and enterprise choices.

Adding that certain countries abuse their state power to politicize, instrumentalize and weaponize sci-tech and economic and trade issues, maliciously block and suppress China and instigate disconnection with China, Zhao said such acts violate the rules of international trade, separate the global market and damage the safety and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

China will continue to work with the international community to oppose economic coercion and bullying practices in sci-tech and jointly safeguard the stability of the rules and foundation of the world financial system and the security of the global industrial and supply chains, Zhao said.

The CIIE attracted many multinational semiconductor companies, including large U.S. semiconductor firms, to the expo, covering multiple production links. These included semiconductor manufacturing equipment, wafer manufacturing, chip design and semiconductor materials. 

Multinational technology companies, such as Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Ericsson and Siemens, also showcased their latest products and equipment, focusing on cutting-edge technologies, such as the metaverse, artificial intelligence and robotics.

(Cover: A processor chip is shown at the 2022 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, November 9, 2022. /CFP)