CHINA INT'L IMPORT EXPO OPENS Shanghai hosts event featuring over 3,000 exhibitors

We begin in Shanghai, where China's first-ever International Import Expo has opened, amid global trade uncertainties. The trade fair is focused solely on imports and will run for six days. More than 3,000 exhibitors from more than 170 countries and regions are participating, and hundreds of thousands of buyers are expected. The expo was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in May last year. He also delivered a keynote speech at the event's opening ceremony. Han Peng has more.

China Int'l Import Expo Opens: Chinese President: China will open its doors wider to world

Innovative, inclusive and open...that's the world economy that Chinese President Xi Jinping envisions.

Xi also ensured the global community that China will not close its doors to the world - and that its economy remains robust despite some roadblocks along the way.

XI JINPINGCHINESE PRESIDENT 'The Chinese economy is a big ocean, not a small pond. Sometimes on the ocean, the waves are peaceful and winds steady, sometimes there are also big winds and rain. Without big winds and rain, it is not an ocean at all. Big winds and rain can destroy a small pond, but not the ocean. After countless winds and waves, the ocean is still there. After over 5,000 years of hardships, China is still here. Facing the future, China will be forever here!'

Xi vowed greater efforts in five areas to further open the Chinese market. Xi said China will stimulate the potentials of imports, further reduce tariffs and cut institutional costs, continue broadening market access-- opening up industries like the finance industry, provide a world-class business environment, and promote multilateral and bilateral cooperation.Meanwhile, there is also a special plan for Shanghai.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT 'We have made the following decisions, first, we will expand the China Shanghai pilot free trade zone to include a new section, and will encourage and support bold and creative steps by Shanghai to advance investment and trade liberalization and facilitation, so that more of its successful practices may be replicated in other parts of China. Second, we will launch a science and technology innovation board at the Shanghai stock exchange and experiment with a registration system for listed companies, we will also support Shanghai in cementing its position as an international financial centre and a hub of science and innovation, and steadily improve the fundamental institution of its capital market. Third, we will support integrated development of the Yangtze River delta region. We will make it a national strategy.'

HAN PENGSHANGHAI and it's not just domestic policies that President Xi is keen on ramping up, he has also called on the whole world, to quote 'gather up greater courage', to boost opening up and cooperation.

President Xi said economic globalization is an unstoppable trend. He called for all countries to pursue cooperation, not confrontation, win-win situations, not zero-sum games, to build a world of common destiny.

FIVE MEASURES OF OPENING UP Stimulate import potential Broaden market access Provide world-class business environment Free trade zone reform Promote multilateral, bilateral cooperation