The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is once again showcasing China’s steadfast commitment to openness, shared growth, and the creation of a fairer international trade order, even as the world grapples with rising unilateralism and protectionism, according to global experts.
The eighth edition of the annual trade fair opened in Shanghai on Wednesday and will continue until November 10. This year’s event has set new records in both scale and participation, featuring 155 countries, regions, and international organisations, 4,108 overseas exhibitors, and an expansive exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square metres, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce reported.
“The expo provides a vital platform amid global economic uncertainty and tense trade conditions,” said Jacopo Vicini, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development of Florence, Italy, in an interview with Xinhua.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bosnian economist Igor Gavran noted that “the openness of the Chinese market stands in sharp contrast to the growing protectionism in some Western countries.” Despite sluggish global trade, he said, “China continues to open its doors wider, sharing the fruits of its development with the world.”
According to Sergei Vergeichik of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research, the CIIE has grown into a major international platform that not only introduces global products to the Chinese market but also fosters regional and global economic cooperation.
The expo offers diverse opportunities for businesses of all sizes to tap into China’s vast market. Alexis Bih, an economic expert from Côte d'Ivoire, described the CIIE as “a crucial strategic lever for pulling the global economy toward recovery.”
“The international community has high expectations for this year’s CIIE, hoping it will strengthen its role as a platform for international economic cooperation,” Bih said, emphasising that China’s efforts to streamline global supply chains position it as a key driver of world trade.
He added that through initiatives like the CIIE, China demonstrates its commitment to building a fairer, more balanced, and inclusive global economic order.
Gavran agreed, highlighting that “China not only puts forward a grand vision but also takes concrete actions to build a more equitable global trade environment, offering great hope to small and medium-sized economies.”
As one of the world’s largest consumer markets, China’s continued expansion of openness presents tremendous opportunities for developing economies such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, he added.
Vicini also remarked that China’s high-standard opening-up extends beyond trade, fostering deeper collaboration in culture, arts, innovation, and sustainable development.
“With its strong capacity to attract investment and facilitate exchanges, China is expected to play a central role in shaping a more balanced globalisation — one rooted in sustainability, innovation, and mutual respect,” Vicini said.