Participants see CIIE as ideal stage for presenting innovations

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has become an ideal stage for global companies to show their latest technological innovations and foster industry exchanges.

The CIIE is the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports. The six-day expo is witnessing the launches of more than 400 new products, technologies and services, which experts say indicates foreign companies' confidence in the Chinese market.

Nippon Paint, a well-known brand in China for home furnishing, made its debut at the CIIE this year, as the company sees the expo as an ideal platform to present their innovations.

"[We managed] to make our debut at the CIIE in the newly-established new material special sections, which is an ideal platform to showcase our innovative and sustainable solutions," said Lim Yoke Loon, Chief Operation Officer (COO) of Nippon Paint China.

Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), a global pharmaceutical giant, has attended the expo for six times. Its Senior Vice-President and President in China Anna Van Acker described the expo as inspiring.

"Six times that MSD has a booth, where we really showcase not only our products, but also our commitment to China. We can see at the CIIE we're quite inspired. Actually when you look around and we look at other industry, we see the great progress and the advancements that have been made, specifically around technology, around data, digital and how it really evolves and helps the society. But also if you look very specifically in healthcare, we do see again that technology is an accelerator," said Acker.

Global companies also expressed their hopes of leveraging China's push for new quality productive forces and technological innovation. They aim to collaborate with Chinese companies and research institutions to develop innovative products, thereby offering higher-quality goods to the Chinese market.

"We are continuing our investment here in China. At present, we operate 74 factories and then R and D centers across China. We leverage all our global expertise, experience, advanced technologies, bring them to China to help address some of the pressing issues that we are seeing here in China, for example, the urban renewal, advanced manufacturing which calls for higher performance material, the low carbon footprints in terms of automotive productions. These are technologies that we bring in to support the high quality growth here in China. At the same time, Chinese enterprises are also going global. We are doing our part to support Chinese company, for example, the automotive companies, to go abroad," said Lim.

"We're engaged with innovative China biopharmaceutical companies, really an early development, join forces to look at both companies' expertise and know-how and how we can accelerate again to bring the next innovation to the market. It also is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with Chinese partners, so we can also bring their innovation to the global platform," said Acker.

Running from Tuesday to Sunday under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

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.

Participants see CIIE as ideal stage for presenting innovations

This year's CIIE has seen many overseas participants keen to expand their footprint in the Chinese market, as the country's resilient consumer market is generating numerous business opportunities for international brands despite global economic headwinds.

The seventh CIIE is being held in Shanghai from Tuesday to Sunday.

Under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," this year's event has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations, and achieved a new record with the attendance of 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders.

Shiseido, a Japanese cosmetics producer, plans to deepen its presence in what it considers a crucial market.

"We have never waived in the confidence and determination to invest in China, and even when talking about the future, we are confident to strengthen the longterm investment in China because again, the Chinese market, including the consumer, are very sound, they are so vital, as well as resilient. And then now the China market is a very important international market for the Shiseido Group," said Toshinobu Umetsu, President and CEO of Shiseido China.

Meanwhile, Australian wine producer Penfolds, owned by Treasury Wine Estates, is advancing its local production strategy. The company launched its first Chinese-made wines at the previous CIIE.

"As we started our journey of making wine here in China, we were welcomed very warmly by industry participants here in Ningxia, but also down in Yunnan in Shangri-la. So we are taking a very collaborative approach, and it's great be able to share what is possible when you focus on collaboration and partnership with the release of our Chinese wines that we showcased for the first time here at CIIE last year," said Tom King, Managing Director of Penfolds, an Australian wine producer.

Unilever, a British multinational company, is expanding its manufacturing footprint with new facilities in south China's Guangzhou City and east China's Hefei City. The consumer goods giant expects its food category plant to begin production in Q1 2025.

"We have strong determination to develop in the Chinese market. For example, currently we are building a full-category manufacturing site in Guangzhou. The first phase has already completed, the second phase, our food factory, is still under construction and is scheduled to be put into production by the first quarter of next year. And also this year, we build another new skin factory from our beauty and wellbeing business in Hefei. So this series of new investment, new construction, not only marks the upgrade of our supply chain, but also reflects our strong determination, our strong confidence to further develop in the Chinese market, probably for another 100 years," said Jasmine Dang, head of Communication and Corporate Affairs at Unilever North Asia.

The CIIE is the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports. Running from November 5 to 10 under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the seventh CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

Int'l businesses eye opportunities in China's thriving market