Novartis will showcase its experimental drug for Sjogren's disease, ianalumab, in China for the first time at the upcoming 9th China International Import Expo, the Swiss drugmaker said on Monday.

The drug, which is not yet approved on the Chinese mainland, will feature alongside the company's research pipeline and efforts to improve access to innovative medicines.

The 9th CIIE will run from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

Novartis plans to display products across four core therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; immunology; oncology; and neuroscience. It will also outline its pipeline across five key technology platforms.

The exhibition will include 12 medicines called "CIIE babies", highlighting products it says the expo has helped bring to China.

Having participated in every edition of the expo since its launch in 2018, the company said it has received more than 60 approvals in China for new medicines and additional indications over that period.

Beyond its medicines and research pipeline, the company will present initiatives to improve patient access to innovative treatments. It will also showcase work with partners exploring potential low-altitude transport solutions, which it described as being at the conceptual stage.

The company will also outline its broader strategy in China and efforts to work more closely with local innovation partners.

This year's exhibition coincides with the 30th anniversary of Novartis's establishment in 1996. The company traces its ties with China back 140 years and will also showcase its refreshed corporate brand at the expo.

The upcoming 9th China International Import Expo represents a major effort by the world's second-largest economy to proactively open its super-sized market to the world, officials and executives said ahead of the event, which is scheduled to take place Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

With its total exhibition area set to exceed 440,000 square meters for the first time, this year's expo will host 4,142 overseas exhibitors and draw participants from 162 countries, regions and international organizations, said Yan Dong, vice-minister of commerce, at a news conference on Friday.

"US companies will occupy more than 50,000 sq m at the business exhibition, up 1,500 sq m from last year, retaining the top spot by exhibition area for the eighth consecutive year," Yan said.

Having never missed an edition of the CIIE, US technology company 3M will showcase its latest innovations in automotive, electronics and safety, as well as manufacturing materials and automation.

"We have always viewed the CIIE as a key platform for showcasing cutting-edge innovations and expanding local partnerships," said Henry Ding, president of 3M China, adding that the company will further strengthen its supply chain network in China.

Such confidence is backed by the returns foreign-invested companies earn in China. Foreign-invested companies that filed annual reports for 2025 recorded an average profit margin of 8.7 percent, according to a report released by the Ministry of Commerce.

Foreign-invested manufacturers posted a margin 2.2 percentage points higher than that of industrial enterprises nationwide, the report said.

"China's super-sized market offers fertile ground for businesses to generate tangible returns," said He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, at a separate news conference on Thursday.

In addition to connecting global businesses with China's vast market, the expo is also cementing its role as a showcase for innovation. Yan, the commerce official, said the number of exhibits set to make their global, Asian or China debuts has so far exceeded 480, a record high for the event.

The lineup will include modular laparoscopic surgical robots, cochlear implants that detect sound from all directions and prototype 6G devices, said Xiao Lu, deputy Party secretary of the China International Import Expo Bureau.

"These cutting-edge innovations will support industrial development and improve people's lives," Xiao said, adding that other exhibits will include water-based silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives and water treatment systems that can soften and mineralize water simultaneously.

The expo comes as strong import growth lends support to Beijing's push for more balanced trade. China's imports rose 22.3 percent year-on-year to 16.74 trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion) in the first nine months, the fastest growth since 2021, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Shanghai, the expo's host city, saw imports reach a record 1.87 trillion yuan in the first eight months, accounting for 12.8 percent of the national total, said Lu Shan, the city's vice-mayor.

Yan said China will respond proactively to trading partners' needs and continue to improve measures to facilitate imports.

"We will work to enable the world to share in the opportunities of China's vast market," he added.

BEIJING -- US companies will top the exhibition area at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) for the eighth time, with their area up 1,500 square meters from last year, an official said on Friday.

The ninth CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10. Launched in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE was designed to expand China's opening up and turn its vast market into a shared opportunity for the world.

Preparations for the ninth CIIE are basically complete. A total of 162 countries, regions and international organizations will take part, with 4,142 overseas companies exhibiting, China's Vice-Minister of Commerce Yan Dong told a news conference.

The overall exhibition area will exceed 440,000 square meters for the first time. In the enterprise exhibition, companies from the United States, Germany, Britain and France will lead the pack in terms of exhibition space.

For the first time, the number of Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event will surpass 300. Additionally, over 2,000 companies will be exhibiting at the CIIE for the first time.

This year's CIIE will feature over 200 representative global debuts and first-time exhibits. A variety of cutting-edge innovations that empower industries and enhance people's lives will be showcased together, including endoscopic surgical robots and cochlear implants.

Ahead of this year's CIIE, matchmaking sessions themed under "export to China" were held in countries including Egypt, Germany and Britain, bringing procurement talks to the doorstep of trading partners.

The CIIE is a prominent example of China's efforts to expand imports and provide more channels for quality products from around the world to enter the Chinese market. This commitment has remained high on China's agenda, and the results are tangible.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China's imports reached 16.7 trillion yuan ($2.48 trillion) in the first nine months of this year, up 22.3 percent, the fastest growth since 2021.

Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said earlier this year that China's market holds huge potential, adding that the country will bring in more agricultural goods, quality consumer products, advanced technology equipment and key components. Meanwhile, platforms like the CIIE will be fully used to expand import channels, he said.

"Exports and imports are like two wheels of a vehicle. The more balanced they are, the smoother and farther it goes," Wang said.

Hi! I'm a coffee bean. From the Ethiopian Highlands to coffee cups across China, my journey took a new turn at the CIIE. Want to know how it all happened? Let's dive in!

Preparations for the ninth China International Import Expo, which will take place from Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai, are in full swing. Participating firms are getting ready for the annual gathering with diverse new offerings, showing solid confidence in the Chinese market.

At a news briefing held on Monday in Shanghai to mark the 100-day countdown to the expo, Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, said 57 nations and three international organizations have confirmed participation in the Country Exhibition. Moldova, Romania and the United Nations Development Programme will be joining for the first time, and Canada will be invited as the guest nation of honor for a second time.

Over 1,200 companies from 99 countries and regions have signed up for its business exhibition, including 265 Global Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders.

Among them, French pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics group Pierre Fabre, Perennial Holdings Private Ltd from Singapore, Dutch paint and coating firm AkzoNobel, fashion brand Ralph Lauren from the United States, global steel giant ArcelorMittal and chocolate maker Godiva will make their CIIE debut.

Wu said a cumulative total of 27,000 overseas business exhibitors have participated in the CIIE over its past eight editions, showcasing over 3,400 new products, technologies and services. This year's CIIE will also make more efforts to help more African countries and Global South nations make full use of China's zero-tariff policy, to seize the vast opportunities in the Chinese market.

Themed "Stability and Cooperation: Building an Open World Economy Together", the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum will release the flagship World Openness Report 2026, and will unveil the Export-to-China Capacity Development Report for the first time.

Goodfarmer Foods Holding (Group) Co Ltd, which has been a CIIE exhibitor since 2018, will see its four fruit varieties, including apples, Vietnamese green pomelos and Peruvian bananas, make global debuts at this year's expo.

"We are firmly optimistic about China's future prospects of consumption, and remain committed to expanding our presence here. Chinese consumers are showing increasing demand for high-quality fruits. We have had three fresh-cut fruit factories put into operation in China this year, and will continue to expand investment in the sector," said Jiang Lei, the company's general manager of e-commerce in China.

CSL Behring, a biotherapeutics leader providing human albumin to Chinese patients since 1986, will make its CIIE debut this year, and has already signed up for the 10th CIIE next year. Wang Yu, general manager of CSL Behring China, said she values the CIIE as a premier platform to see into and understand China, as well as to demonstrate and inspire innovation.

Every encounter can plant a seed of change. For eight years, the CIIE has brought friends from around the world together. A handshake can spark cooperation, while a conversation can open new possibilities. Only 100 days to go! From Nov 5 to 10, we will meet again in Shanghai at the 9th CIIE.

Two seminars aiming to help French enterprises better understand the upcoming 9th edition of the China International Import Expo, or CIIE, and share opportunities presented by China's deepening opening-up, were held last week in the French cities of Paris and Lyon.

According to Hua Wei, president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), which is the host venue of CIIE, the previous expo saw participation from 114 French companies, harvesting good sales in areas such as agricultural and food products, consumer goods, and service trade.

"The CIIE has become an important bridge connecting enterprises from both countries and promoting practical cooperation," said Hua.

Dai Junpeng, counselor of the economic and commercial office of the Chinese embassy in France, pointed out that the continuous upgrade of consumption patterns of China's 1.4 billion people has led to a strong demand for high-quality imported goods. Additionally, China's manufacturing sector's transition towards high-end, intelligent, and green production has also created a need for new technological equipment.

Taking French linen as an example, Dai said with the rising demand for natural and environmentally-friendly fabrics among Chinese consumers, in the first five months of 2026 French linen exports to China grew by 47.3 percent year-on-year.

"Supported by various policy measures as well as the vast market, China will continue to provide ample opportunities for French and European companies," said Dai.

Yu Jiang, the Chinese Consul General in Lyon, said that the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, in the southeast of France, is known for its high level of industrialization, high education standards, and balanced development.

He hopes the region's high-quality products and services in agriculture, tourism, and biopharmaceuticals can leverage the CIIE as a channel to "board the train of opportunities presented by China's development".

At the promotional event in Paris on Wednesday, the Association des Artistes Europeens signed a memorandum of understanding with CIIE stakeholders to use the expo as a vital link to further achievements in Sino-French economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchange.

Jason Arthaud, the association's executive chairman, said the CIIE is not just about traditional bulk trade; it also offers an extremely broad platform for cultural and artistic institutions, innovative public welfare projects, and corporate social responsibility practices.

"It not only focuses on what the world is buying and selling but also on what humanity cares about," he added.

At the promotional event in Lyon on Friday, local entrepreneurs shared their stories of traveling to China and establishing strong partnerships with Chinese companies.

Entrepreneur Matthieu Lecuyer fell in love with Chinese baijiu and learned the distillation and brewing techniques. This year, he plans to bring "French-made baijiu, tailored for Chinese customers", to the CIIE.

Jean-Luc Logel, president of a quality inspection equipment company, has participated in the CIIE multiple times, providing quality inspection services for bottles of Tsingtao beer and wines of the Great Wall brand. The company is currently working with partners to apply Chinese artificial intelligence technology to assist in glass quality inspection.

"With the help of AI, we can spot substandard glass bottle products more accurately, reducing waste and loss," he explained.

At a high-profile event held in Qingdao, Shandong province, senior executives from multinational corporations highlighted the vast potential of China's market and praised the role of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in helping foreign companies expand their presence in the country.

Speaking at the 9th China International Import Expo Promotion and Roadshow and "Big Market for All: Export to China" Event (Shandong) on Monday, Cao Yang, global vice-president of Baker Hughes and president of Baker Hughes China, said the CIIE has served as an important platform for the multinational energy technology company to showcase its products and innovations.

"The CIIE not only provides opportunities for companies like Baker Hughes to expand cooperation in China, but also demonstrates China's commitment to high-level opening-up," Cao said.

He noted that China's enormous market demand, innovation vitality, and strong industrial capabilities have created broad development opportunities for businesses worldwide, further strengthening Baker Hughes' confidence in deepening its footprint in the country and serving Chinese customers.

Shandong province has become a key region for the company to strengthen its supply chain development in China, with its annual procurement volume in the province increasing by over 40 percent over the past three years, he added.

Li Ping, vice-president of BD Greater China, said the United States-based medical technology company is paying close attention to development opportunities in Shandong province. He noted that the biopharmaceutical industry has been identified as one of Shandong's strategic emerging industries during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) and looked forward to further expanding the company's presence in the province.

The 9th China International Import Expo is scheduled to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from Nov 5 to 10 this year.

The promotion and roadshow event took place during the ongoing 7th Qingdao Multinationals Summit, which runs through Wednesday. The summit is expected to attract representatives from 357 multinational companies from 44 countries and regions.

What began as a showcase for overseas brands entering China is increasingly turning into a launchpad for long-term investment, as multinational firms deepen their presence through a China International Import Expo outreach event in Anhui province.

The CIIE in Anhui program was held by the Ministry of Commerce and the Anhui provincial government from Monday to Wednesday in Hefei and surrounding cities, bringing together 88 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders alongside local officials and industry partners.

The initiative reflects China's efforts to extend the expo's role beyond Shanghai, turning it into a nationwide investment catalyst and reinforcing the "Invest in China" and "Export to China" campaigns.

Vice-Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said the event would help Anhui showcase its trade and investment environment and attract deeper foreign participation, as China moves to expand market opening, improve foreign investment policies and promote more balanced trade.

The shift is already visible on the ground. Companies that once treated the expo as a market-entry platform are now expanding operations and embedding themselves in local supply chains.

Jerome Vanachter, president of French biotech firm Lesaffre Group Greater China, said: "As a proud eight-year full participant of the CIIE, we have always seen CIIE as a golden bridge linking the world and China. Over the past eight years, we have showcased innovations, expanded partnerships and accelerated our growth in China, honoring our long-term commitment to this market."

Vanachter said Anhui is the starting point and foundation of Lesaffre's journey in China as the company set up its first Chinese plant in Mingguang, Chuzhou in 1999, invested an additional 130 million yuan ($18.91 million) in 2022, and achieved sales exceeding 1.1 billion yuan and tax payments of over 27 million yuan at the Mingguang base in 2025.

"Going forward, Lesaffre will continue to deepen investment, upgrade technology and expand capacity in China, fully integrating into Anhui's green food and modern agriculture sectors," he said.

Ren Kequan, a regional general manager at fruit producer Joy Wing Mau Group, said, "At the CIIE, we have launched more than 20 global debut products, including desert crunch berries from Peru and Musang King durians from Malaysia.

"These products quickly became bestsellers in the Chinese market, significantly enhancing our brand influence and consumer recognition."

Joy Wing Mau Group has been deeply engaged in the Chinese market for more than two decades and has established over 30 modern cold-chain logistics centers nationwide, covering 300 cities and serving 20 million Chinese households every day, Ren said.

The Anhui event also highlights emerging sectors central to the province's industrial strategy, including intelligent connected new energy vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, green foods, consumer goods and biopharmaceuticals.

That focus aligns with Anhui's rapid rise as an export and manufacturing hub. In 2025, the province's total imports and exports exceeded 1 trillion yuan. Auto exports reached 1.228 million units, also a national high, while growth in foreign investment ranked first nationwide.

Kang Kai, vice-president of Dun & Bradstreet China, said he was impressed by Anhui's industrial dynamism.

Kang suggested that investors should focus on the province's distinctive sectors, particularly by identifying opportunities in the automotive components industry through its export profile and integration with global supply chains.