2025-09-01 China Daily Page 7

The full text of the main article is as follows:

Member states use import expo to showcase products, attract investment and highlight increasing cooperation with China

The China International Import Expo, the country's first national-level trade fair focused on imports, continues to serve as a significant platform for international trade and cooperation. Held annually in Shanghai, the expo attracts global participation, with member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization playing a prominent role.

Established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, the SCO is a permanent intergovernmental organization. As the rotating chair of the SCO for 2024-25, China is hosting the SCO summit in Tianjin, North China, from Sunday to Monday.

Uzbekistan's national pavilion at the 7th CIIE. The country has participated in the expo for six consecutive years. CHINA DAILY

Uzbekistan, a member of the SCO, has participated in the CIIE for six consecutive years, serving as a guest country of honor at both the 2nd and 7th editions. Farhod Arziev, the ambassador of Uzbekistan to China, noted that being a guest country of honor highlights the close cooperation and friendship between the two countries, signifying deepening bilateral trade and economic relations.

"Today, Uzbekistan and China cooperate in many areas. The leaders of our two countries have elevated our relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership, opening new horizons in our bilateral cooperation, including in trade and investment," he said.

"Currently, China is Uzbekistan's largest trading partner. Our target is to increase the volume of our mutual trade to $20 billion in the near future. Uzbekistan's participation in such trade exhibitions and fairs in China contributes to the growth of trade turnover between our countries and provides new opportunities for various investment projects."

Ravshan Nazarov, a senior researcher at the Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, said: "The CIIE is an important platform for showcasing innovative products and promoting international cooperation." He praised China's commitment to openness and cooperation, fostering a more open and equitable global business environment.

Russia's national pavilion at the 7th CIIE. The country has participated in all the past seven editions of the expo. CHINA DAILY

Russia, another SCO member, has participated in the CIIE for seven years, being a guest country of honor in the first two editions. In a written interview with Russian news agency Interfax in May, Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, highlighted the resilience of Sino-Russian relations. "Sino-Russian relations have withstood the challenges of shifting global dynamics, emerging as a steadfast anchor in today's turbulent world. Our political trust has reached new heights, economic cooperation is expanding, and cultural exchanges are thriving," Zhang noted.

He expressed China's willingness to enhance communication and cooperation with Russia, focusing on traditional trade areas such as energy, agricultural produce, and mechanical and electrical products, while exploring new growth points in green development, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

"China continues to encourage enterprises from both countries to participate in the CIIE and other major exhibitions and forums to deepen cooperation and ensure steady progress in bilateral trade," Zhang added.

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

SCO member state Pakistan was a guest country of honor at the inaugural CIIE. During an April meeting with Murtaza Wahab, the mayor of Karachi, Pakistan, Gong Zheng, the mayor of Shanghai, highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two cities, which have been sister cities for more than 40 years. "Shanghai and Karachi have engaged in extensive practical cooperation, playing a positive role in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries," Gong said.

He expressed hope for further cooperation in trade, investment, urban governance, culture and tourism. "We warmly welcome enterprises from our sister cities to participate in this year's CIIE, fostering increased mutual investment, enhancing exchanges in urban governance, encouraging more people to travel to each other's cities, and deepening the friendship and understanding between us."

Wahab echoed these sentiments, comparing the friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani people to the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean. He pointed out that Karachi is Pakistan's economic, industrial and financial center, and there is significant potential for cooperation with Shanghai.

He also expressed interest in learning from Shanghai's development model and strengthening ties in clean energy, water resource management, waste utilization and cultural exchange.

The national pavilion of Kazakhstan at the 7th CIIE. Kazakhstan served as a guest country of honor in the 2nd and 6th editions of the expo. CHINA DAILY

Kazakhstan, a member of the SCO, has been a participant in the CIIE for six years, serving as a guest country of honor in the 2nd and 6th editions. During a meeting with Sultan Gaziev, governor of the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan, in May, Gong emphasized that China and Kazakhstan are close neighbors sharing a common destiny. "As China's largest economic center, Shanghai is actively promoting high-level opening-up, and Almaty is a key agricultural and trade center in Kazakhstan and a crucial hub along the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," Gong said.

Highlighting the popularity of Kazakh agricultural products in China, Gong said: "We warmly welcome more enterprises from Kazakhstan and the Almaty Region to participate in the CIIE to showcase more unique products and services, and we look forward to enhancing economic cooperation and industrial investment to achieve more win-win results.

"Moreover, taking advantage of the mutual visa exemption between China and Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan's 2025 Year of China Tourism, we aim to encourage more people to travel to each other's countries, enjoy the scenery and cuisine, and strengthen our friendship," he added.

Gaziev said China's rapid economic development serves as a model for Kazakhstan to learn from. "Almaty is currently constructing a special economic zone, which is developing rapidly, with significant potential for cooperation in photovoltaic power generation and logistics. We welcome Shanghai enterprises to invest and develop in Almaty, and further strengthen cooperation in trade, finance, logistics, new energy, tourism and other fields."

At the 7th CIIE, Kazakhstan sent its largest delegation ever to the expo, with exhibits spanning agricultural products, food and beverages, handicrafts and more.

According to Serik Korzhumbayev, the editor-in-chief of Delovoy Kazakhstan, more than 20 enterprises from Kazakhstan participate in the CIIE annually.

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

China's high-level opening-up benefits both the world and itself, and the spillover effects of the CIIE are continuously strengthening, attracting more and more returning participants, said Korzhumbayev.

India, a SCO member, was a guest country of honor at the 2nd CIIE. In a written interview with The Times of India, Chinese ambassador to the country, Xu Feihong, emphasized the opportunities available in China's vast market. "In fiscal year 2024, Indian products such as chili peppers, iron ore and cotton yarn saw significant export growth to China, surging by over 17 percent, 160 percent and 240 percent," Xu noted. He encouraged Indian enterprises to leverage platforms like the CIIE to connect with Chinese buyers and explore the potential for economic collaboration.

At the 7th CIIE, Iran, a member of the SCO, established a national pavilion spanning 132 square meters and a commercial pavilion covering 1,440 sq m. In a signed article published on April 25 in Iran's English-language newspaper Tehran Times, Chinese ambassador to the country, Cong Peiwu, said the CIIE is becoming bigger and better, offering new opportunities for the world with China's new development.

"At present, human society needs international cooperation and sharing more than ever before to solve development problems. Multilateralism is the only choice for addressing global challenges, and economic globalization is an unstoppable trend of history," he said.

"Having the world's second-largest consumer market and largest middle-income group, China offers great potential for investment and consumption. Iran is an important member of the SCO family, and China is willing to deepen cooperation with Iran within the SCO framework," he added, while welcoming Iranian companies to participate in the 8th CIIE in November.

The CIIE's effect extends beyond immediate trade deals. A Turkmenistan-based non-alcoholic beverage producer planned to establish its first Chinese branch in Huangpu district, Shanghai, following successful interactions at the expo. This move represents not just an investment project but also the integration of Central Asian enterprises into the Chinese market.

The 8th CIIE will showcase innovative products from well-established companies and brands. It aims to provide more opportunities for enterprises from SCO member states and beyond, promising to deliver mutual benefits and strengthen ties across borders.

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