According to trade data released by Eurostat, China surpassed the US for the first time in 2020 as the EU's largest trade partner.

The data show that the import and export trade between EU and China achieved double growth in 2020. About 383.5 billion euros' worth of commodities were imported from China, a year-on-year growth of 5.6 percent; while 202.5 billion euros of goods were exported to China, a year-on-year growth of 2.2 percent.

Among the top 10 EU trade partners in goods China is the only one to have achieved two-way growth in trade. Member countries of the EU therefore actively participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), hoping that it would further expand the Chinese market for them.

Germany is China's largest trade partner in Europe. Germany owns a number of large enterprises in equipment manufacturing, automobiles and heath care. Additionally, Germany has been an important attendee for the expo and was the guest-of-honor country of the first CIIE.

Clas Neumann, chairman of the board of the German Chamber of Commerce in China, said in an interview that the CIIE is a good opportunity for German enterprises to showcase their cutting edge products in technology, innovation and life style, and is a platform for German enterprises to demonstrate their sustainable innovation ability to the Chinese market. By participating in the CIIE, German enterprises can expand their brand influence and promote "Made in Germany".

"We will encourage more members of the German Chamber of Commerce in China to take part in the fourth CIIE," Clas Neumann said, adding that CIIE not only attracts experienced and established market participants but also new companies that are opening up the Chinese market. The CIIE is a good opportunity for German companies to establish close ties with existing or new potential business partners in China.

About 170 German enterprises participated in the third CIIE, displaying their products in an area of more than 18,000 square meters. The number of enterprises and size of exhibition area ranked first in Europe and third among all exhibiting countries.

Not long before, the CIIE Bureau held an online promotion conference to introduce the latest developments of the fourth CIIE to industrial associations and nearly 100 German enterprises both in China and abroad.

The fourth CIIE will be held from November 5 to 10. So far, it has attracted hundreds of enterprises. The CIIE warmly welcomes their active participation as well as that of other global companies seeking expanded access to Chinese markets.

By Xian Bihui