The first batch of exhibitors participating in the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrived at the main venue in Shanghai on Tuesday, bringing a range of products, including fresh fruits, advanced cleaning equipment and AI-powered medical devices.
The CIIE, the world's first national-level import-themed expo, is scheduled to run from Nov 5 to 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).
On Tuesday, trucks loaded with exhibits for the upcoming expo were welcomed with a water salute during an accession ceremony held outside the main venue.
Dole, a global agricultural corporation, is leveraging the expo to introduce fresh avocados from South Africa to China, catering to the rising demand for premium branded fruits in the Chinese market.
"The Chinese market is vast. With a growing focus on healthy consumption in recent years, we found that demand for high-quality branded fruits is also increasing. China and South Africa signed a trade agreement (in 2023) that opened the Chinese market to South African avocados. We have been actively preparing for this opportunity. The import of South African avocados will offer Chinese consumers who like healthy foods a new choice," said Wang Na, marketing director of the food company's China division.
The CIIE is regarded as an important platform for many advanced manufacturing companies to promote their products in China, further driving them to boost their investments in the market.
"This is our seventh time attending the CIIE, and we haven't missed the expo since it began. This year, the Karcher Group has started a new company in China, which is a very important investment for us. We've also built our global research and development center, factory, and storage center here. The CIIE is a valuable platform for us," said Zheng Qian, general manager of the China division of Karcher Group, a German-based company known for cleaning equipment and pressure washers.
"We have the first AI full-image deep-learning digital PET/CT device in the industry, with implanted deep-learning technologies that ensure data collection accuracy. The product is also equipped with a new PET detector, achieving the highest spatial resolution and sensitivity in the market. The CIIE is an excellent platform for connecting the Chinese market with the rest of the world and accelerating the latest boundary-free innovations that drive the development of new quality productive forces," said Zhong Luyin, chief communication officer of GE HealthCare China.
First-batch exhibits for upcoming China Import Expo arrive at venue in Shanghai
In recent years, thriving e-commerce has become a main powerhouse for China-Russia bilateral trade amid the ever closer economic and trade relations of BRICS countries.
Through e-commerce platforms, specialty products from China and Russia are easily accessible to each other, bringing new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Russian media citing data from relevant statistical agencies shows that Chinese products occupy nearly half of Russia's online trading market. These products include electronics, clothing, cosmetics and more. A few months ago, Chinese cars also began to be sold in the Russian market through e-commerce platforms, with sales continuing to grow.
In response to such rapid growth, Russia has implemented a "Made in Russia" product promotion plan to strengthen the international competitiveness of Russian products. Products under this promotion plan are now available on eight major e-commerce platforms in China.
"Sales volume on E-commerce platforms keep increasing. This is a very clear and relatively simple way for Russian manufacturers and exporters to introduce products to Chinese consumers. The selling through online platforms is easier, with lower costs and more convenient operations, compared with that through traditional stores," said Maxim Kuznetsov, deputy general manager of Russian Export Center.
Kuznetsov has noted that in the Chinese market, there is strong demand for products such as seafood, flour and salt, while sweets of the United Confections continue to lead in sales.
The United Confectioners, headquartered in Moscow, exports over 3,000 tons of products to China annually. To further increase export sales, they have also developed a new product - a green tea-flavored Swiss roll. However, the most popular product sold on e-commerce platforms remains the company's flagship product, chocolate. Considering the taste preferences of Chinese consumers, they have intentionally adjusted the recipe by reducing the sugar content.
"We sell our products on popular online platforms. We also have our own online supermarket, affiliated to the China Trading House. It is noteworthy that there are four most popular e-commerce platforms in China, namely Taobao Tmall, Douyin, JD and Pinduoduo. All of the company's products can be found on these platforms, including chocolates, biscuits, wafers and more. We are also developing other product categories. The good development of online sales in China is crucial for us, as it helps expand our target consumers and reach remote areas in China," said Sergey Stroganov, deputy director of China program of United Confectioners.
"The development of e-commerce in China is very strong. Our primary target customers prefer online shopping, with most of them being young women and young mothers. Therefore, we have developed online sales channels with the hope that sales on online platforms will further increase in the near future," said Ksenia Sovetskaya, product manager of China program of United Confectioners.
The burgeoning e-commerce platforms have also opened up more opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Gzhel Village, with a history of 700 years, is the birthplace of famous Russian folk ceramic crafts. With the development of e-commerce, the sales channels are also changing. Products are no longer showcased through traditional exhibitions but on online platforms. Currently, there is a strong interest from Chinese consumers in Russian products. The artisans there plan to increase the export volume of handicrafts to 140,000 pieces per year. The first batch of products will soon be launched in an online exhibition hall in China.
"We now have a major buyer, China. Therefore, the annual production is increasing, focusing on producing ceramic sets, sculptures, and products with zodiac elements. As the Year of the Snake is approaching, we are producing snake-related products. We also produce accessories for women, such as rings and earrings, as well as popular coffee cups. Additionally, Matryoshka dolls are also widely popular," said Maria Karitina, a painter of Gzhel porcelain factory.
China-Russia E-commerce boosts bilateral trade
