China International Import Expo 2024 spotlights new quality productive forces and open sharing

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on Tuesday morning in Shanghai with the theme "New Era, Shared Future" which emphasizes the development of new quality productive forces and open sharing.

Running from November 5 to 10, this year's expo sees an increase in scale with an expanded participation of over 3,400 exhibitors from more than 150 countries, regions and international organizations. Norway, Burundi, Madagascar and the United Nations Children's Fund are making their debuts.

Matts Johansen, CEO of the Norwegian company Aker BioMarine, shared views with CGTN that the Chinese market is his company's fastest-growing market, prompting his attendance at the CIIE to forge new connections and gear up for future developments in China.

A major focus of this year's CIIE is on developing new quality productive forces, which comes in line with the country's new development philosophy that features high-tech, high efficiency and high-quality growth. 

Over 400 new products, technologies and services are making their debuts. Among these are high-end equipment, biotechnology and new energy solutions.

A special section dedicated to new materials features innovations such as a type of paint that purifies air and another that can both insulate and cool in urban renovations.

Rio Tinto's CEO Jakob Stausholm believes these debuts reflect the positive business sentiment toward China's market potential. He also praised China's economic progress and its impressive energy transition.

In a move to promote open sharing, this year's CIIE has provided over 120 free exhibition spots to the world's least developed countries and expanded the African products zone. The move is part of China's efforts to create a "green channel" for African products, facilitating their entry into the Chinese market.

During a meeting with select exhibitors and buyers at the CIIE, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized China's commitment to opening-up further, regardless of global economic changes.

Li expressed the hope that China will become not only an export destination for foreign enterprises, but also a land of investment and entrepreneurship, facilitating closer links between China and the global market.

(With input from Xinhua)