Li: CIIE a key bridge linking China, world

China remains steadfast in sharing its development opportunities with the global community and providing more stability amid rising uncertainties worldwide, Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

In his keynote speech, Li emphasized that the CIIE, the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, not only acts as a gateway for the global economy to access the Chinese market, but also serves as a vital bridge connecting China with the world.

This year, the expo has attracted participants from 155 countries, regions and international organizations, featuring over 4,100 overseas companies, which is over 600 more compared with last year.

Li said the number of exhibitors at the eighth CIIE has reached a new record high, "fully demonstrating the vibrant dynamism and vitality of China's vast market".

Since its inception in 2018, the CIIE has become a powerful manifestation of China's dedication to sharing development opportunities with the global community. Over its past seven editions, the expo has attracted more than 23,000 overseas exhibitors, generating a cumulative intended turnover of $500 billion.

This year, over 460 new products, technologies and services will make their global debut during the six-day expo.

The premier attributed the success of the CIIE to its commitment to sharing opportunities with the world. In contrast, certain unilateral and protectionist practices have severely disrupted the international economic order and global economic operations, he pointed out.

Against this backdrop, Li underscored the need to uphold equality and mutual benefit to strengthen the foundation of common interests, and advocated for continued cooperation and free trade, particularly during times of global economic slowdown and conflicts.

Furthermore, he said it is crucial to safeguard international fairness and justice, highlighting the interconnected fate of all nations and the need for collaboration and mutual support. He called for advancing international governance reform and optimizing international economic and trade rules.

Looking ahead, Li said that China is set to embrace greater certainty. The nation will maintain its focus on economic advancement and promote high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, ensuring new contributions to global growth, he said. Li also pledged that China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, and broaden comprehensive pilot programs for further opening up the services sector.

China, a country advancing on its path to modernization, "is poised to inject greater stability and positive energy into the world", he added.

During the opening ceremony, foreign leaders from countries including Georgia, Serbia, Nigeria and Slovenia noted that the CIIE plays a significant role in promoting opening-up and cooperation and strengthening the global economy, showcasing China's commitment as a major country to sharing opportunities and pursuing development with the world.

They expressed the willingness to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as trade, connectivity, innovation and green development, while upholding free and fair trade to jointly promote development and prosperity.

Business executives attending the CIIE also spoke highly of the event, calling it a crucial platform for collaboration.

John Ross, former director of economic and business policy in the administration of the Mayor of London, described the CIIE as one of the most practical symbols showing China's ongoing economic globalization.

"This is win-win because it is creating exports for other countries by importing goods into China," he said.

For multinational conglomerate Honeywell, which is participating in the CIIE for the eighth consecutive year, the event has evolved beyond a platform for securing orders.

"The expo has prompted us to reshape our business layout in China, expanding from coastal areas to central and western regions," said Yu Feng, president of Honeywell China.

Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn