President Xi: China will only become more and more open

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday announced the opening of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai.

The CIIE is the world's first national-level expo themed on import, said Xi, adding that the event shows China's persistent stance on supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting the development of free trade.

Xi expressed a warm welcome to the guests from all over the world.

There are a total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations participating in the event. More than 3,600 enterprises have signed up for the exhibition which covers an area of 300,000 square meters, Xi said.

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Economic globalization 'irreversible'

Xi has called for strengthening opening up and cooperation, saying economic globalization is an "irreversible historical trend."

The world is facing the challenge of rising anti-globalization, said the Chinese president, adding that countries need to acknowledge that economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend, and openness and collaboration are the engines of global growth and vitality.

Xi stressed that countries should push back against protectionism and unilateralism to build a more connected, fair, transparent and inclusive world economy.

China to 'open wider'

President Xi has outlined China's plan to further expand the reform and opening up, reiterating China's door "will be opened even wider."

"China will never stop its steps toward pushing for a higher-quality opening up! China will never stop its steps toward pushing for the construction of an open world economy! China will never stop its steps toward building a community with a shared future for mankind!" Xi promised.

Addressing the guests, President Xi urged China to invigorate import potential, continue to relax market access, create a world-class business environment and a new highland for opening up, and promote in-depth development of multilateral and bilateral cooperation to further expand opening up.

China mulls ways to further expand opening up

China's economy to maintain trend of steady development

Shanghai's role in opening up

China will undertake three measures to fully leverage Shanghai's role in opening up, said President Xi.

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China will set up new districts of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and encourage the innovative exploration in facilitating trade and investment, accumulating more experience that can be promoted nationwide.

China will establish a technological innovation board in Shanghai Stock Exchange and take it as a pilot for registration and support the building of Shanghai World Financial Center and Technology Innovation Center, continuously improving the fundamental policy of the capital market.

China will promote the integration in the Yangtze River Delta region as a national strategy to build a modern economic system.

Stay tuned to CGTN for live coverage.

Everything you need to know about the first China International Import Expo

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