Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai

Below are the scripts:

Why is this edition of CIIE important?

I am very happy to participate in this year's CIIE. France's participation as guest of honor at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be one of the highlights of this important year, which marks the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, our first Jiazi. The year 2024 is a very rich one for the relationship between our two countries. It has been marked by important events, I'm thinking in particular of the successful visit to France last May by Chinese President Xi Jinping, but also of the many events organized as part of this year of Franco-Chinese cultural tourism, or the “Paris 2024” Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What does the CIIE mean to you, and who will be representing France?

In many sectors, French companies excel in China and actively contribute to sustainable growth. We've been present at CIIE since its first year, and in 2019, President Emmanuel Macron visited Shanghai for the occasion and welcomed President XI Jinping to the CIIE France pavilion. This year, we'll be welcoming Sophie Primas, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, who will be representing France, meeting her Chinese counterparts and supporting our companies.

How will French companies be mobilizing for this event?

The French national pavilion will feature some twenty exhibitors from a wide variety of sectors. You'll be able to meet not only our biggest companies, but also some of France's finest SMEs. I'm thinking of companies in agri-food, industry, luxury goods, and many other industries, which have made France and its know-how famous. In addition to the French pavilion, over a hundred French companies will be exhibiting their products at the CIIE.

A final message for Chinese visitors?

Dear Chinese friends, welcome to our national pavilion! We look forward to showing you - some of the best that French brands have to offer!

Further reading:

Hongqiao International Economic Forum (hereinafter referred to as HQF) is held in tandem with the China International Import Expo (CIIE). Under the theme of "High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization", the 7th HQF features the main forum (the opening ceremony of the CIIE and HQF), and 19 parallel sessions under "1+4" sections, i.e. the Press Release and International Symposium on World Openness Report 2024 and parallel sessions under Opening-up for Development, Opening-up for Cooperation, Opening-up for Innovation and Opening-up for Sharing. Meanwhile, closed meetings, including roundtables for foreign-funded enterprises and promotional activities related to "Invest in China", will be organized at the 7th HQF.

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Introduction to CIIE & HQF GALA

The 7th China International Import Expo & Hongqiao International Economic Forum Gala (CIIE&HQF GALA) will continue to be held before the opening ceremony, further enhancing the quality of services provided.

Facilitate networking and meetings. The Hongqiao Forum Secretariat will promptly release guest information to support mutual networking.

Enhance media interaction. Mainstream media will be invited to the event for scheduled interviews and spontaneous on-site interviews with high-profile guests, to enhance visibility. Photography services will also be provided.

Launch the function of message reservation. The information system of the Hongqiao Forum is optimized and upgraded. This system integrates such functions as registration, information inquiry, and guest interaction. It is now operational within the Hongqiao Forum module of the "Import Expo" App and applet.