China Expands Global Opportunities with Wider Openness
The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2025. This event highlights China’s commitment to global openness and trade development. It sees participation from 155 countries and regions, with over 4,108 overseas enterprises showcasing their products across a vast exhibition space of more than 430,000 square meters.
Significance of the CIIE
The CIIE stands as a vital platform for companies looking to enter the Chinese market. For instance, New Zealand’s dairy company, Theland, began its journey in China at the first CIIE in 2017. Initially, they faced challenges with logistics, as their fresh milk arrived close to expiration. However, reforms implemented in Shanghai helped expedite their customs process, allowing products to reach the CIIE venue within 72 hours.
Growth and Opportunities
- Theland’s sales have surged by 26 times, expanding their offline distribution across 25 provinces.
- They now have presence on over 90% of Chinese e-commerce platforms.
Roy van den Hurk, CEO of Milk New Zealand Dairy Limited, expressed confidence in the CIIE and the Chinese market, stating that growing alongside China is synonymous with embracing opportunities.
China’s Economic Growth
In the first three quarters of 2025, China’s GDP rose by 5.2% compared to the previous year. This steady growth underscores the nation’s potential for shared development with global partners. China is focusing on high-quality growth, particularly in the fields of green technologies and digital transformation.
The CIIE has also featured numerous product launches, with 461 new offerings presented this year alone. This reflects China’s evolution from being the “world’s factory” to becoming a hub for global innovation.
Global Business Engagement
- Over 500 billion in intended transactions have been facilitated by the CIIE in its first seven editions.
- China has consistently remained the second-largest import market globally for 16 years.
- In the upcoming decade, the middle-income population in China is projected to exceed 800 million.
As international corporations increasingly view investing in China as essential, the nation continues to attract foreign investment. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, 48,921 new foreign-invested enterprises were established, reflecting a 16.2% year-on-year increase. Since 2021, China has drawn over $700 billion in foreign investment, surpassing previous years significantly.
Support for Developing Countries
The CIIE has been instrumental in providing opportunities for least developed countries (LDCs). This year, the event expanded its special zone for African products, offering duty-free access to enterprises from LDCs with ties to China. Participation from these enterprises jumped by 23.5% from the previous year.
China’s Commitment to Global Trade
Amid challenges in the global trade landscape, China remains committed to constructive economic globalization. Initiatives like the CIIE represent China’s dedication to institutional openness through various platforms and policies aimed at fostering high-quality development.
In this era of rapid change, China’s strategic approach aims to generate shared opportunities for collective international progress and prosperity.
