Import expo a harbinger of progress

For many years, China has occupied the pole position in international trade rankings as the world's biggest exporter. What is less well known is that China - a market of more than 1.3 billion consumers - is also the world's second-largest importing nation, and one that is growing at a fast rate.

An expanding middle-income group is fueling a strong demand for foreign products. In 2017, the value of global exports to China rose by 18.7 percent year-on-year to 12.5 trillion yuan ($1.8 trillion). The Chinese demand for foreign goods shows little sign of weakening and is predicted to continue its double-digit growth over the next five years.

Before the current debate on trade protectionism took hold globally, the Chinese government, thanks to its farsightedness, decided to hold the first China International Import Expo to proactively open up its domestic market to the world, especially developing countries, so as to create considerable opportunities for all to benefit from the country's rising prosperity. The expo will focus on the opportunities provided by China's growing demand for foreign goods and services.