Editor's Note: This year marks the 5th anniversary of the China International Import Expo. The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who were involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories and have received a large number of warm responses so far. We are going to publish the excellent works of "My CIIE Story" in succession. In July, the stories will center on "grand strategy", which showcases the CIIE's role in promoting key national strategies, diplomatic relationships and international public good. Let's follow the words written by the authors and look back on their wonderful moments from the past five years.

Employees at Fung Group take a photo at the company's booth in the CIIE.

It has been four years since I was appointed president of Fung Group China. The office where I work was established partly due to the China International Import Expo.

In 2018, the year the inaugural edition of the CIIE was held, Fung Group, a Hong Kong company that originated in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, has built a business network in the Chinese mainland and been connecting Chinese and overseas markets with its experience and global resources.

As one of the first exhibitors of the CIIE, we spoke with government representatives and partners and fully recognized the vast opportunities in the Chinese market. The expo strengthened our determination to prioritize our businesses in the Chinese mainland and this was why we set up a base in Shanghai half a year after the conclusion of the inaugural expo.

The second CIIE in 2019 was the first edition that I participated in after becoming the company's president. It was a big challenge to get all our subsidiaries to get prepared for the trade fair within less than six months, but we managed to put forward an exhibition plan which later proved effective.

The second CIIE allowed the group to better see the value of the expo. We formed a special committee responsible for our CIIE preparations and again participated in the next two editions of the expo despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CIIE is a great platform to showcase our innovations related to digital supply chains. For example, Cobalt, a knitwear brand owned by Fung Group, had during the expos displayed an intelligent manufacturing solution that can significantly reduce the time spent on making customized samples and thus meet consumers' diverse demands. Petit Bateau, a French childrenswear brand, launched knitted bags using the solution during this year's Spring Festival and the products were well-received by Chinese buyers.

The CIIE, together with the Canton Fair and the China International Fair for Trade in Services, demonstrates China's efforts to open up its market and cooperate with the world to contribute to global prosperity.

In light of the trends of digitalization and consumption upgrading, Fung Group will develop new products and technologies to build a more flexible, resilient and sustainable supply chain.

By Stephen Fung

Stephen Fung

(The author is the president of Fung Group China and the Chief Executive Officer of Fung Kids.)