Editor's note: Xu Yi is a journalist at CGTN Global Business. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN. 

Amid lingering global geopolitical conflicts, rising protectionism and sluggish economic recovery, the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) kicked off in Haikou, Hainan Province, on April 13. As a key national exhibition, it coincides with the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the implementation of Hainan Free Trade Port's special customs operations. To what extent are global enterprises ready to cooperate and narrow development gaps? This expo may hold the answer.

A fair share for all in China's opening-up

With the theme of "Openness Leads Global Consumption, Innovation Drives a Better Life," this year's CICPE has achieved remarkable progress in various core indicators, demonstrating its growing influence as a world-class consumption platform. Canada, the Guest Country of Honor, brought 40 enterprises and brands to Hainan. Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu stated at the expo that Canada's role as the Country of Honor is not just a formality — it is a signal. "We have a goal: To increase bilateral trade by 50% by 2030. This is not just talk — it is real and concrete," he said. "Canadian exhibitors are not here just for an event. They are here for the long term."

This year, the expo has attracted more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, with international exhibits accounting for 65%, a 20 percentage points increase compared with 2025.

Hainan opens, the world gains

The unique policy advantages of Hainan Free Trade Port have laid a solid foundation for the efficient operation of the expo and the smooth flow of global trade. They have upgraded policy framework and the preferential policies such as "zero tariff, low tax rate and simplified tax system" have accelerated the transformation of "exhibition products into commodities," enabling global brands to enter the Chinese market more efficiently.

During the expo, Hainan Province and Lubuskie Voidodeship in Poland signed a memorandum on deepening friendly cooperation between the two sides in Haikou. Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski, the marshal of the Lubuskie Voidodeship in Poland said that Hainan FTP launched the special customs operations last year, and it means a lot to foreign businesses. He met with the governor of Hainan Province this week, who shared the goal of building Hainan into a globally influential free trade port by 2050. He was greatly impressed by this vision. "The Chinese market is spectacular — it is very broad and large, and it allows companies like ours to have more opportunities in the global market," said Juan José Muñoz Coronado, chief health officer of Spanish nutrition brand BECHI.

Leading role of green and high-tech consumption

As a global platform for the launch of high-quality consumer products, this year's CICPE has undoubtedly become the "starting point" leading the global trendy consumption lifestyle. At Huawei's booth, the "black technology" HarmonyOS AI Glasses made their global debut. They not only support real-time simultaneous interpretation, but also feature 0.7-second ultra-clear AI flash photography, and achieve seamless interconnection with mobile phones, watches, and a series of home devices. Meanwhile, flying cars are catching people's attention. HT Aero, Asia's largest flying car company, brought the world's first split-type flying car Land Aircraft Carrier, which is about to enter mass production soon.

The Hainan Expo is also doubling down on green consumption. This year's CICPE, for instance, has achieved 100% green electricity coverage —with all power sourced from renewable energy such as solar and wind. Walking inside the halls, you might be surprised to find bamboo instead of plastic as the organizers advocate using bamboo as a substitute for plastic to raise public awareness. 

Borja De La Pena is the director of global programmes at the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization — the first China-based global organization focused solely on bamboo and rattan sustainability. His organization jointly held an event under the theme "Bamboo as a substitute for plastic" at the Hainan Expo. De La Pena said what surprised him was that the use of sustainable resources is not a choice, but more of a lifestyle, which was fully reflected at the expo. "Overall, it's been a very successful couple of days here. So, we must congratulate the Hainan Province for the organization of this event. We live in turbulent times currently. And China, once again, has emerged as a stable, reliable, and predictable partner."

The tides of opportunities are rising, carrying Hainan toward a new future. Amid global turbulence, the 6th CICPE has once again demonstrated China's firm determination to expand high-level opening-up and its sincerity to share development opportunities with the world. By gathering global resources and promoting trade liberalization and facilitation, Hainan CICPE acts as a catalyst for global trade cooperation, injecting valuable certainty and new momentum into the sluggish global economy, and writing a new chapter of win-win cooperation between China and the world.