A promotional event was held in Lisbon, Portugal on May 7 for the upcoming eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), with many leading organizations and businesses attending the event. A number of dignitaries also addressed the event.

Zhao Bentang, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Portugal, said in his address that China and Portugal have set a good example of mutual trust and shared benefits. Since the two nations established diplomatic ties, bilateral trade has grown from 200,000 US dollars to over 9.2 billion US dollars as of 2024. China has been Portugal’s top trade partner in Asia with much potential still remaining to be tapped. CIIE presents an important opportunity for Portuguese companies to bring more products and services to the Chinese market and the embassy stands ready to provide all needed support to Portuguese exhibitors at CIIE. 

According to Li Guoqing, deputy director-general of the China International Import Expo Bureau (CIIEB), CIIE is a major move to open up China’s vast market and promote economic globalization. By aiming to become a new platform for further integration of the global industry chain and supply chain, boosting international trade, the annual expo advocates inclusiveness, openness, cooperation, innovation and a shared future. The eighth CIIE will feature high-end exhibitors, innovative products, premium brands, high-level guests and global influence, providing more business opportunities for participants from Portugal and the rest of the world. “We expect to see quality Portuguese products, like pork, wine and more, enter Chinese consumers’ homes and welcome more cooperation projects in emerging economic sectors,” Li asserted during his address. 

Guo Zhiyao, general manager of Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Lisbon Branch, said that Bank of China has been providing all kinds of services for CIIE as the sole strategic partner for eight years, including trade finance, M&A loans, cross-border settlements, and RMB payment services, contributing to the development of Portugal-China trade ties.

Miguel Braz from Perfeição Lda, the official Portuguese organizer for the eighth CIIE, said that his company will continue to build CIIE’s influence in Portugal,  contributing more to China-Portugal trade cooperation and to the success of CIIE.

Last year, Perfeição Lda helped 14 companies participate in the seventh CIIE.

According to Deolinda Silva, executive director of PortugalFoods, China is an important market for Portugal's agriculture and food industry, and a well-coordinated marketing strategy is crucial for boosting exports to China. PortugalFoods achieved notable success at the seventh CIIE. 

Zhou Xuyong, chairman of Clean&Clean Lda and founder of Mootaa, shared how his company has seen steady sales growth over the years by building partnerships with Tmall, JD.com, Walmart and other world-renowned retail channels, and how CIIE has facilitated their products’ entry into the vast Chinese market.

During the event, the CIIEB deputy director-general Li Guoqing signed memorandums of cooperation and participation contracts with representatives of Perfeição Lda, PortugalFoods as well as other organizations for the eighth CIIE. 

While in Lisbon, the CIIE working team visited Clean&Clean Lda and Associaço Empresarial de Portugal to sign memorandums of understanding presented a certificate for the recognizing PortugalFoods as one of the Top 30 Most Influential Exhibitor Groups at the seventh CIIE to PortugalFoods, and had in-depth exchanges on various matters regarding the eighth CIIE with Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency, Perfeição Lda, Simoldes Group and the Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Lisbon Branch. 

The promotional event was hosted by the CIIEB and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Portugal. Perfeição Lda served as the organizer, while the event’s co-organizers were the Bank of China (Europe) S.A. Lisbon Branch, PortugalFoods, and Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

By Li Hanmeng