Foreign exhibitors at gala event view CIIE as chance to expand exchanges

The annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) has been lauded as a key platform for enterprises from across the globe to showcase their new products and conduct essential business exchanges.

In a move to allow more companies to be seen and have their cooperation needs met, CIIE organizers specially arranged a series of gala events to encourage greater interaction and create more exchange opportunities for guests before the official activities got underway on Tuesday.

Speaking at one such gala event held before the CIIE opening ceremony, many foreign exhibitors applauded the warm, on-site atmosphere and also the openness of China.

"My company has been there for seven years. We want to bring our products to the Chinese markets. But we also develop a lot of products in China that we export to the world. Now I think it's the best platform if you want to promote kind of Chinese trade to the world and trade from the world to China," said Gustaf Salford, president and chief executive officer of Swedish medical equipment producer Elekta.

"This is our seventh time participating, so we're excited to be here. So I think it's a platform to connect with the international players and local players, and then to demonstrate the openness of China," said Anu Rathninde, president of Johnson Controls Asia Pacific, a leading producer of fire and security equipment for buildings.

"You can feel a bit relaxed, but it's also again a great platform, where we can have dialogue," said Yann Bozec, president and CEO of Coach China, a luxury fashion brand.

Running from November 5 to 10 under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations.

Among them, nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions are taking part in the business exhibition, while a record number of 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders are attending the event.

The China Media Group (CMG) on Monday unveiled a list of documentaries it plans to air in 2025 in an event in Beijing.

The 50 documentaries showcase rich connotations of China's stories and vibrant panorama of China’s development in the new era through a multi-dimensional approach.

The documentaries are categorized into six sections to tell major events in important time periods, displaying the charms of Chinese civilization, introducing discoveries in nature and science, capturing the hustle and bustle of people’s daily life, and presenting cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

The event notably promoted three documentaries set to premiere during the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.