The Seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) was inaugurated in Shanghai with the theme “New Era-Shared Future” by Premier Li Qiang at the International Exhibition and Convention Center, which covers over 420,00 square meters.”
A total of 152 countries, regions, and international organizations are participating in country and business exhibitions this year. This year, 77 countries and international organizations, including Burundi, Madagascar, Norway, Slovakia, Benin, Namibia, Lesotho, and UNICEF, are participating as countries for the first time.
The country exhibition participants also included honored and notable guests such as Tanzania (the only African country), France, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia.
The Chinese Premier, Li Qiang met with representatives of exhibitors and buyers participating in the Expo during a symposium in Shanghai on Monday. The Premier emphasized that the nation will open its doors even wider, reiterating the Chinese government’s commitment to expanding its business environment to the rest of the world and improving the fields of telecommunication, education, culture, and healthcare.
Premier Li also noted that the CIIE has evolved into an international public good shared by the world and a crucial platform for China and the rest of the world to embrace each other in developing cooperation for win-win results. The CIIE, the world’s first national-level import-focused exposition, has been held annually since 2018.
China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 100% of imports from all least developed countries (LDCs) that have diplomatic relations with China as early as December 1, 2024. This is the first time a major developing country or global economy has taken such a step. The policy is expected to help LDCs increase exports to China and take advantage of the Chinese market.
Premier Li Qiang also addressed that China’s phenomenal success is not only an example of effective governance and correct policies but also a promising attitude to ensure that trade, investment, and economic prosperity benefit the international community. This remark is significant and contrary to the practices of many powerful economies. It is for this reason that I, along with many of my colleagues, commend China and its leadership for departing from obscure, condescending, and unfair trading practices.
The CIIE has attracted more than 3,800 media representatives and journalists from around the world. Additionally, over 3,500 officials from various countries are attending, including representatives from more than 290 Fortune 500 companies.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave a touching speech at the event as discussed the reason why his country joined the BRICS and why they chose to be part of the financial freedom and the shared future offered by the Government of China. “Take note also of the address by Premier Li Qiang, that the phenomenal success registered by China is an example of not only of issues of governance and correct policies, but promising attitude to ensure that the trades, investments and economic prosperity will be beneficial to the international communities. And this is of course, not an easy remark because it is contrary to the expression of many powerful economies of the world. That’s why I think, I would join many of my colleagues in
commanding China and its leadership for this departure from a very obscure, condescending and unfair trading practices,” Prime Minister Anwar said.
“The principle of the policy of shared future is well received by countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Global South, and that is precisely the reason why Malaysia agreed to participate in Brics,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim added.
