China is preparing to host the ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai from November 5th to 10th. Organizers say a record 4,142 overseas companies have signed up. And exhibition space exceeds 440,000 square meters for the first time. All this underscores the Expo's role in opening up China's market. The Expo comes as China's imports reached 2.5 trillion US dollars in the first nine months of this year, up over 22 percent year on year. The Expo will bring together participants from over 160 countries, regions and international organizations. More than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders are expected. Over 2,000 companies will be making their debut. More than 480 representative exhibits will make their global, Asian or Chinese debuts. Organizers say this year's event will also expand its focus on products from Africa.

XIAO LU Deputy Party Secretary, China International Import Expo Bureau "This year, the enterprise exhibition area has exceeded 370,000 square meters for the first time. A total of 4,142 companies from 148 countries and regions have signed up, the highest number in the Expo's history. The Africa and Asia Products Zone will be further upgraded to help African countries that have diplomatic ties with China seize opportunities arising from China's zero-tariff policy."