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Expo attracts 4,142 overseas exhibitors, over 300 Fortune Global 500 companies, industry leaders
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The ninth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has commenced in Shanghai, East China.
A report by Xinhua News Agency says the exhibition is the world’s first national-level exhibition dedicated to imports.
During the opening ceremony, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a keynote speech.
The CIIE, the state-owned media stated, has attracted 4,142 overseas exhibitors, including more than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders.
“Over 480 exhibits are set to make their global, Asian or China debuts at the 2026 event, the highest number in its history.
“Total exhibition area exceeds 440,000 square metres this year. US exhibitors occupy more than 50,000 square metres, leading for the eighth consecutive year, while companies from Germany, the United Kingdom and France also rank among the top participants.
“This year’s CIIE retains its six major exhibition areas and an innovation incubation section, covering areas such as intelligent industry and information technology, consumer goods, food and agricultural products, automobiles and smart mobility, medical devices and healthcare products, and trade in services,” the news medium stated.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the innovation incubation section featured 633 technology and innovation projects from nearly 40 countries and regions, up almost 20 per cent from the previous edition.
The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, also taking place in Shanghai alongside the CIIE, on Thursday released the World Openness Report 2026 and unveiled its first Export-to-China Capacity Development Report.
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Announced in 2017 and held annually since 2018, the CIIE serves to give overseas businesses greater access to the vast and growing Chinese market.
The past eight editions have drawn more than 180 countries, regions and international organisations and seen over 3,400 new products, technologies and services make their debuts, while cumulative intended deals have exceeded 580 billion US dollars.
The CIIE, which commenced on 5 November 2026, will come to a close on 10 November 2026.
In his remarks, Ding called for joint efforts to achieve balanced trade through greater market openness, deeper investment cooperation, innovation and the removal of trade barriers.
Ding, who noted that profound changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, also said economic globalisation is facing headwinds, imbalances in global development remain prominent, and the international economic and trade order is being severely impacted.
He added that concerns over trade imbalances were understandable, and the key was how to achieve balanced trade.
While calling on countries to share market opportunities, enhance openness and connectivity and better leverage their respective comparative advantages, and promote balance by making the economic pie bigger together, the Chinese Vice Premier further urged deeper investment cooperation and efforts to optimise the cross-border layout of industries, create favourable conditions for businesses, and promote balance through integration into global industrial and supply chains.
Ding emphasised the need to harness innovation, improve supply quality, expand the frontiers of trade and promote balance through advancing transformation and upgrading.
He also called for greater mutual understanding and trust, giving due consideration to each other’s legitimate concerns, resolving differences through consultation and promoting balance by removing barriers.
