CIIE gears up for a record ninth edition in Shanghai

To seize the extensive opportunities presented by the Chinese market, a record number of more than 4,140 overseas companies will join the Business Exhibition, or core commercial segment, of the 9th China International Import Expo, which opens on Thursday in Shanghai.

The six-day expo, which for the first time boasts an exhibition area exceeding 440,000 square meters, will draw participants from 162 countries, regions and international organizations, according to a news briefing held on Tuesday by the CIIE Bureau. Around 170 enterprises and 30 overseas organizations have participated in all nine editions of the CIIE, said the bureau.

This year, more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading enterprises and over 2,000 first-time exhibitors have registered for participation in the expo. More than 480 products are expected to make their debut in China, Asia or globally.

Three major State-led initiatives — "Export to China", "Shopping in China" and "Invest in China" — will be brought together at the CIIE for the first time this year, demonstrating the nation's firm commitment to openness and mutual empowerment.

As China is scheduled to hold the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Nov 18 and 19, a large number of participants from APEC economies will be one of the highlights of the expo.

Enterprises from almost all APEC economies, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and several ASEAN members, will have a strong presence at the Business Exhibition.

Canada will be one of the two guest countries of honor at the Country Exhibition — a dedicated section to showcase the countries' national image, trade and investment environment, culture and cooperation achievements with China.

Varun Sehgal, senior vice-president and general manager for Asia at US footwear brand Crocs, said the Chinese market is significant for the company's growth, as Chinese consumers' creativity, vitality and pursuit of self-expression have continued to inspire its innovations.

"The CIIE is not just a platform to showcase our innovations; it offers valuable opportunities for us to gain deeper insights into the demands of Chinese consumers and strengthen our collaboration with local partners," he said.

A growing number of African exhibitors will participate in this year's expo. Building on China's updated zero-tariff policy, which covers 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which the nation has diplomatic relations, the CIIE has upgraded its Asia-Africa Products Zone to offer more free exhibition space to least-developed nations.

Meanwhile, the ninth edition of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which will be held in Shanghai alongside the CIIE, will release the World Openness Report 2026 and the latest World Openness Index. The forum will also unveil the Export-to-China Capacity Development Report for the first time to help global businesses better navigate the Chinese market.

Swiss company SGS, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has attended all nine editions of the CIIE. Sandy Hao, managing director of SGS China, said: "We have truly appreciated China's determination to expand its opening-up since the first CIIE. Amid the restructuring of global supply chains and increasing trade uncertainties, the positive signals for openness that China has sent through the CIIE have been sincere, innovative and compelling."