2025-07-08 China Daily Global Page 4

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Global economies using China International Import Expo as platform for new business opportunities

BRICS countries have been active participants in the annual China International Import Expo, demonstrating their commitment to economic cooperation and shared development. The 11 members of the bloc of major emerging economies have utilized the CIIE as a crucial platform to showcase their products, foster business relationships and explore new growth opportunities.

Visitors are seen around the national pavilion of South Africa during the 7th CIIE. South Africa served as a guest country of honor at the 1st and 6th CIIE, with more than 100 companies attending. CHINA DAILY

Brazil, as a guest country of honor at the inaugural CIIE in 2018, has participated in all seven editions of the event, involving 258 companies. In May, China announced a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Brazil and four other countries, effective from June 1 to May 31, 2026.

"Upon waking up, I saw that all major Brazilian media were reporting the good news that China will trial a visa-free policy," Ye Wangyong, permanent honorary president of the Brazilian Qingtian Association, told China News Service.

China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. Ye said that the visa-free policy will simplify the travel process for Brazilian entrepreneurs and investors to China and encourage more Brazilian companies to participate in economic and trade events like the CIIE, thereby deepening cooperation in sectors such as the digital economy, new energy and agricultural technology.

The national pavilion of Brazil at the 7th China International Import Expo in Shanghai in 2024. CHINA DAILY

At the end of April, Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, the host city of the CIIE, met with Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes. Gong said that Shanghai and the Brazilian city have maintained close ties and achieved favorable results since becoming friendship cities in 1988.

Gong noted that Shanghai stands ready to enhance cooperation with Sao Paulo in trade, industrial investment, urban governance, culture, tourism and other sectors. He invited Sao Paulo companies to participate in this year's CIIE to foster bilateral investment and mutual tourism.

Nunes said that Chinese culture is popular in Sao Paulo and that the Chinese community has contributed to Sao Paulo's development. He noted that Shanghai's development experience provides important lessons for other cities around the world. Sao Paulo is willing to enhance exchanges and mutual learning with Shanghai in technological innovation, public safety, green development and park city construction, the mayor added.

The national pavilion of Russia at the 7th CIIE. CHINA DAILY

Russia has consistently participated in the CIIE, attending the Country Exhibition for seven consecutive years and serving as a guest country of honor at the 1st and 2nd editions.

In May, Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese ambassador to Russia, said in an interview with Russian news agency Interfax that Sino-Russian relations have weathered international changes and become a steady force in today's turbulent world. Despite external pressures, Sino-Russian economic and trade cooperation has continued to grow.

Zhang emphasized China's willingness to work with Russia to consolidate trade in traditional areas such as energy, agricultural products and machinery while exploring new growth points in green development, digital economy and artificial intelligence. He encouraged Russian enterprises to participate in high-profile events like the CIIE to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

India served as a guest country of honor at the 2nd CIIE. Xu Feihong, the Chinese ambassador to India, told The Times of India that China welcomes more high-quality Indian products and is willing to help Indian companies connect with the Chinese market and explore opportunities in economic and trade cooperation. He encouraged Indian businesses to leverage platforms like the CIIE to find buyers and consumers in China.

South Africa has also been a frequent participant, serving as a guest country of honor at the 1st and 6th CIIE, with more than 100 companies attending.

In late May, Li Zhigong, the Chinese consul general in Durban, told local newspaper Daily News that South African businesses keen on accessing the Chinese market can leverage bilateral trade agreements and major expos like the CIIE, which has welcomed South African products such as wine, avocados and soybeans.

Attendees of the 7th CIIE communicate at the national pavilion of Saudi Arabia, a guest country of honor. CHINA DAILY

Serving as a guest country of honor at the 7th CIIE, Saudi Arabia is another steadfast participant of the expo. Li Guoqing, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau, one of the expo's organizers, said the event is closely linked to China's high-level opening-up, providing an excellent platform for foreign enterprises to tap into China's vast market.

As China's largest trading partner in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia was one of the first participants in China's Belt and Road Initiative. Li expressed hopes that Saudi Arabia would bring more unique products and quality services to China, leveraging the CIIE to explore new cooperation opportunities in the Chinese market.

Bassam Ribhi Hamadeh, an executive committee member of the Saudi-Chinese Business Council, said the two countries have seen significant progress in political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation since diplomatic relations were established in 1990. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program aligns with the BRI, playing a crucial role in advancing trade and investment relations.

He noted that the Saudi-Chinese Business Council is dedicated to exploring investment opportunities and strengthening win-win cooperation between the two countries, with the CIIE serving as a valuable platform for promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Egypt, as the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and a guest country of honor at the inaugural CIIE, has maintained a comprehensive strategic partnership with China for over 10 years.

Mohamed Youssef, executive director of the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, stressed the importance of cooperation between Chinese and Egyptian enterprises, noting the strong desire of Egyptian and other African businesses to collaborate with China. He highlighted that the association aims to strengthen intercompany cooperation and use the CIIE as a platform to boost Egyptian exports to China.

Magdy Amer, vice-president of the Egypt-China Friendship Association, pointed out that the CIIE, as the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, reflects China's economic vibrancy and commitment to global economic development. The event presents excellent opportunities for Egyptian businesses to expand their exports to China, he said.

Attendees examine the products on display at the booth of International Exhibitions Company of theIslamic Republic of Iran during the 7th CIIE. CHINA DAILY

The United Arab Emirates has been a regular attendee, with CIIE-themed promotional activities reinforcing its partnership with the event. Ning Feng, president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), highlighted the UAE's long-standing role as a key trading partner and export market in West Asia and North Africa, with products like dates and camel milk powder popular among Chinese consumers.

Recognizing the deep-rooted bilateral relations and robust trade foundations between the UAE and China, Marwan Al Marri, regional director for Asia at Dubai Chambers, sees the CIIE as a platform for exploring the Chinese market, pledging support for UAE companies participating in the expo.

Ethiopia's coffee exports through the CIIE have achieved notable success. Brands like Gera signed contracts with well-established crossborder e-commerce platforms as early as the 3rd CIIE, making their products on display at the expo available for online purchase.

At the 5th CIIE, Ethiopia's highland coffee attracted much attention. Following its appearance in a livestreaming session on an e-commerce platform, 17,000 boxes were sold in one night.

Coffee is only a small part of the trade between China and Ethiopia. Ethiopian agricultural products such as sesame and mung beans are frequently found in Chinese stores and supermarkets.

At the 6th CIIE, Ethiopian sesame trader Duka Engineering and Trading reached a preliminary cooperation agreement with Ruifu Sesame Oil based in East China's Shandong province, signing a tentative purchase order for 6,000 metric tons of sesame.

"Previously, our company communicated with Ruifu Sesame Oil through intermediaries, but the CIIE allowed us to sign the contract face-to-face," a representative of Duka Engineering and Trading said, adding that the expo offers opportunities for new partnerships for businesses from around the world.

Through the expo, Ethiopia and China have achieved win-win outcomes, solving employment issues for many Ethiopians and reinforcing China's determination to continuously open up to the leastdeveloped countries. The first seven editions of the CIIE collectively provided over 500 free standard booths for the least-developed countries, exemplifying China's implementation of its eight major initiatives for cooperation with Africa.

By participating in the CIIE, the BRICS nations continue to enhance their trade and economic ties with China, leveraging the expo as a platform for increased cooperation and shared prosperity.

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