Amidst the fresh autumn air along the Huangpu River, the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will unveil a month later. As various preparations enter the final stretch, all parties look forward to gathering in Shanghai and sharing China’s opportunities.

Embracing China’s huge market will ignite the “accelerator” for the recovery of the world economy. The 4th CIIE hasn’t kicked off yet, but the enthusiasm for cooperation is running high along the Huangpu River. In the large exhibition area covering more than 360,000 square meters, the upcoming event will surpass the previous editions in the number of exhibitors, the enthusiasm of Fortune Global 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises, and the number of returned exhibitors, which show amazing highlights. In order to fulfill the “promise for the future,” enterprises worldwide value the platform of the CIIE. Siemens Healthineers, Dole Group and Volvo Construction Equipment will present their global debuts or cutting-edge technologies at the CIIE. More and more enterprises go all out to show their strength on the world stage. Moreover, some enterprises have signed contracts for the 5th CIIE before the opening of the current edition. Orders, communication and imports…The CIIE has been receiving new orders and gaining new customers. It has built a bridge for global cooperation and ignited the engine for the recovery of world economy.

As a strong market magnet, China’s role as a “safe haven” continues to be recognized. With exhibits becoming traded goods and exhibitors becoming investors, the CIIE has become an increasingly important “window” for foreign enterprises to enter the Chinese market and carry out in-depth cooperation with China. Take Lego as an example. During this year’s National Day holiday, Lego officially opened a flagship store in Guangzhou, which was its largest flagship store in the world by far. By the first half of 2021, more than 40 of Lego’s 60+ new retail stores worldwide had been located in China. Whether it’s a small company or the big global platform CIIE, we can see that global enterprises are optimistic about the Chinese market and enthusiastic about expanding business in China. These moves show that amid downward pressure on the global economy, the role of China’s economy as a “safe haven” has been further enhanced.

The connection between world economy and China produces the wonderful chemical reaction of “more openness, better development and more confidence.” China has built a platform for global cooperation. Stores, factories and innovation centers of global enterprises are springing up in China. More and more global enterprises take the initiative to “do business” with China. The Chinese market has won favor of enterprises worldwide, which is attributable to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee. A package of favorable policies has been introduced to help enterprises and benefit people, stabilize foreign trade and investment, ensure the stability of the supply chain and industrial chain, and provide guarantee for grassroots operation, thus driving the development of the huge domestic market. A series of pragmatic moves have been shortening the negative list for foreign investment access in China, and China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone has been expanding. Increasing efforts have been made to develop a huge market with more than 1.4 billion people and 400 million middle-income people. Consequently, foreign enterprises have been more and more optimistic about China’s long-term development potential, huge domestic market and improving business environment.

Various parties join hands in preparing for the CIIE and strive to create a high-quality event. After four years of development, the CIIE has improved the connection between China and the world. Acting as a major platform for international procurement, for investment promotion, for cultural exchange and for open cooperation, it’s now an international public product for the world to share. Enterprises across the world have been waiting for the opening of the CIIE with great eagerness and enthusiasm. Meanwhile, China keeps enhancing services to make final preparations for a high-quality global event. As the CIIE is approaching, from online customs inspection and customs clearance to dozens of “6 days + 365 days” all-year-round trading service platforms of the CIIE in Shanghai and comprehensive pandemic prevention and control and logistical support in advance, various preparatory work has been speeding up. The CIIE, an event to be held on an annual basis, will feature good performance, good results and continued success in the years to come. Let the world join hands to uphold the ideas of openness, cooperation, unity and win-win results, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, and better benefit peoples of all countries with more fruitful results of cooperation.

As a market for the world, a market shared by all, and a market accessible to all, the Chinese market contains strong positive energy. Although the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century and the global economy is facing severe challenges, the big trend of opening-up and cooperation remains the same. There is a Chinese saying that “one who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a hero.” In the face of difficulties, all countries should further boost confidence, strengthen courage and overcome difficulties together. They should jointly cope with risks and challenges, strengthen cooperation and communication, expand opening up and make the flower of friendship bear more fruits of cooperation.

 

 (Author: Shanghai Observer)