A press briefing for the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Shanghai on July 25, unveiling preparation highlights for this year's expo.

A press briefing on the eighth CIIE is held in Shanghai on July 25.

Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, said that so far more than 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Country Pavilion. Among them, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and others will serve as guest countries of honor, while Kyrgyzstan will make its debut appearance. This year will see the addition of a sister cities cooperation theme, featuring meticulously designed joint exhibition booths to create a comprehensive display platform for sister cities from China and abroad.

As of now, the contracted exhibition area exceeds 330,000 square meters and 170 enterprises and 27 institutions have become "eight-time participants," signing up for all eight editions of the expo. A total of 60 overseas exhibition groups from 40 countries and regions have confirmed their participation, with the scale of participation by enterprises from countries like Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, and Peru reaching record highs. This fully demonstrates their confidence in the Chinese economy and the enthusiasm for the CIIE.

For the Corporate Pavilion, a new zone will be established for products from the least-developed countries (LDCs), while the area showcasing African products will be expanded and upgraded. This aims to help enterprises and products from all LDCs that have diplomatic relations with China as well as 53 African countries utilize the zero-tariff treatment to better access the Chinese market.

Reinforcing its value as a "global launchpad for new products, preferred destination for cutting-edge technologies, and premier platform for innovative services", the expo will organize special tours for new product launches and functional areas, supporting exhibitors in amplifying their impact through live streaming.

A cross-border e-commerce selection platform will be launched for the first time, featuring dedicated promotion sessions, professional matchmaking, and on-site live streaming activities to enhance exhibitors’ benefits.

The Hongqiao International Economic Forum will continue to uphold the banner of openness and promote true multilateralism. Its theme is "Opening Up for New Opportunities, Collaborating for a Shared Future". It will release The World Openness Report 2025 and the latest World Openness Index. Forum activities will be organized around sections including "Reinvigorating Multilateral Cooperation," "Digital Intelligence Empowerment," "Green and Sustainable Development," and "A More Open and Inclusive China. "

Side events will include policy interpretation sessions, industry seminars, investment promotion events, matchmaking and signing ceremonies, as well as product launches. 

To optimize on-site services, food options within the venue will be expanded to provide more dining choices for exhibitors and buyers, while temporary signage will be enhanced and reinforced with additional staff for live guidance. Response capabilities will be strengthened to ensure general inquiries are resolved within 30 minutes.

Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, said Shanghai is prioritizing enhanced services and experiences for international participants at the expo. Key initiatives include streamlined entry with new e-port visa facilitation for foreign attendees, upgraded airport services such as the Easy Go platform and tax refund services, and optimized public transport with customized bus routes connecting key hotels, transport hubs, shopping areas, and the venue.

Food and lodging will see increased hotel room supply with improved service and expanded catering options including dedicated Western and local specialty menus. Operational support will feature faster customs clearance through dedicated CIIE channels and expanded bonded display scope, real-time crowd monitoring inside the venue using spatial computing, on-site consulting points for IP protection and business registration, and enhanced multi-lingual volunteer services. 

To amplify impact and engagement, the Hongqiao Forum will host parallel session in Pudong and Hongqiao with more interactive discussions, alongside improved trade organization and pre-event matchmaking via the 365 Trade Fair platform for online trade opportunities. 

By Yang Yuxin