The promotional event for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held at Yuyuan Garden in Hamburg, Germany, on Jan 16 local time.

A promotional event for the 8th CIIE is held at Yuyuan Garden in Hamburg, Germany, on Jan 16 local time. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Addressing the event, Ning Feng, president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), highlighted Germany's status as one of the most important participants in the CIIE.

German companies have consistently maintained the largest exhibition presence among European participants and the third largest globally at the CIIE, Ning said, adding that many leading industry giants and hidden champions from Germany have participated in the expo, with 20 companies participating every year since the first CIIE seven years ago.

Ning expressed hopes that more German companies will join the 8th CIIE and seize the abundant opportunities offered by the Chinese market.

Representatives deliver speeches during the event. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

Liang Meixia, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Consulate-General in Hamburg, emphasized that the consulate will continue to provide full support to German companies seeking to collaborate with China and participate in the CIIE.

She also noted that in a world filled with uncertainties, China and Germany—as the world's second and third-largest economies—should demonstrate responsibility, mutual trust, and cooperation. This, she said, would bring greater stability to the global economy and inject confidence and vitality into international trade.

Thomas Kiefer, a representative of Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company of Germany, remarked on Hamburg's position as Europe's largest sea-rail intermodal port and a key station for the China-Europe Railway Express - CIIE Express. He expressed hope for even stronger trade ties between Germany and China, with every train departing and returning fully loaded.

In the afternoon of the same day, the CIIE promotional team visited the Port of Hamburg Marketing and extended an invitation for its member companies to join the 8th CIIE. The team also scheduled working exchanges with the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Messe Berlin GmbH.

By Zhao Guangmei