Translated with AI
From November 5 to 10, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is being held in Shanghai, with over 4,100 exhibitors from 150 countries and regions participating.
As the world's first national-level import expo, the CIIE has become a hallmark of China's high-level opening-up policy. Recently, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan for Social and Economic Development, emphasizing China's determination to advance high-level opening-up and share development opportunities with all countries.
ACCESS TO A WIDE MARKET
In 2025, the representation of countries from the Global South at the CIIE increased significantly. Companies from 123 Belt and Road Initiative partner countries participated in the exhibition, a 23 percent increase compared to 2024.
Kyrgyzstan is represented in the national pavilion area for the first time. Emma Savitskaya, director of the Kyrgyz company "Dary Tien Shanya," warmly recommends her products to visitors: "This is white honey. It's very tasty and healthy! Try it!"
"Why is honey white? Initially, flower honey can be creamy with a green tint or lemon-clear, and then turn white and gray during crystallization. This is a completely natural process. We guarantee the purity, naturalness, and quality of our honey. It's good for your health," she says.
E. Savitskaya believes that the CIIE is an exhibition aimed at a broader audience. "It gives us the opportunity to introduce Chinese and foreign visitors to Kyrgyz national products," she noted.
In addition to honey, the Kyrgyz stand features candies, jams, nuts, as well as national clothing, shyrdaks (carpets), felt slippers, bags, and other handicrafts.
"We brought our best exporters and manufacturers so that our Chinese friends could see our products," said Urmat Takirov, head of the Kyrgyz Export Center for Export Development and Promotion under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan. He added that such an event will allow Kyrgyz companies to enter the Chinese market and benefit from China's economic openness.
MUTUAL BENEFIT
Russia is a long-standing friend of the CIIE. According to the Russian Export Center (REC), 78 companies are participating in this year's exhibition, representing food, agricultural products, and consumer goods.
Products branded "Made in Russia" are gradually filling the Chinese market. Russian chocolate, honey, ice cream, beef, crab, and other products are becoming increasingly popular in China.
"We're pleased that our products are finding more and more fans. The company is bringing a completely new product to Shanghai—aged pork steak," said Vladimir Tretyakov, director of production at the Russian agro-industrial holding Miratorg. "We value our cooperation with our Chinese partners."
According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the CIIE opens up new opportunities for Russia to expand business ties with China. "This platform will provide additional opportunities for Russian entrepreneurs and business circles to showcase their achievements, expand business ties with China, find reliable partners, and enter the international market," she emphasized.
The CIIE brings real benefits to everyone. According to statistics, the total value of deals announced during previous Import Expos exceeded USD 50 billion.
The Import Expo is one of the most important tools China uses to demonstrate openness and, in practice, allow countries to count on its market, said Sergei Vergeichik, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS). He added that all Eurasian countries, including Belarus, have the opportunity to prove their competitiveness and enter this large market. "Furthermore, this process is mutually beneficial," he added.
A PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION
"World premiere," "Asian premiere," "China premiere"—CIIE has long been a global platform for showcasing the latest innovations. This year's exhibition will showcase 461 new achievements in cutting-edge fields such as low-altitude economics, humanoid robots, next-generation information technology, AI, and clean energy.
In addition to traditional products, the Russian pavilion showcases high-tech industrial solutions and IT developments. Uzbekistan showcases new construction materials and electrical equipment. Kazakh companies showcase their achievements in digitalization and cross-border trade.
The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which focused on digital innovation, green development, and the openness of the global economy, was held as part of the CIIE.
China is committed to openness, innovation, and the development of new productive forces, providing an excellent testing ground for companies from around the world, said Vice Minister of Commerce Lin Ji at the event. He noted that China has created trillions of dollars in economic opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and green energy. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will continue to innovate and develop new growth areas, deepen global cooperation, and inject new impetus into the world, the vice minister promised.
