International exhibitors at the just-concluded fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), held in Haikou City of south China's Hainan Province, said they expect to benefit from expanding opportunities in the Chinese market.
The expo attracted more than 1,700 firms from 71 countries and regions, covering emerging sectors such as digital consumption, health products, and green consumption.
As the guest country of honor this year, the UK had a total of 27 companies and institutions participating the event, involving several sectors, such as cosmetics, fashion, health, lifestyle and outdoor equipment.
UK exhibitors, many of whom were taking part in the expo for the first time this year, were optimistic about building new partnerships in the country.
"The Chinese market is so important to us. We want to bring things that perhaps aren't already available from local Chinese brands," said a British exhibitor.
In 2024, Britain became the European country with the largest investment in China and the second-largest destination for China's investment in Europe.
Lewis Neal, UK Trade Commissioner for China, saw the expo as a chance to introduce more emerging British brands to China.
"We see trends in consumption in China that we think match with what our businesses here have to offer. So we very much see growth in travel, sports, health and wellbeing. And we think we are here exactly at the right time to benefit from that growth," said Neal.
Currently, U.S. tariff policies are adding more twists to the global economy, and plenty of overseas enterprises are setting their sights on China as their new goal for trade expansion, with some placing a particular focus on Hainan as a free trade port.
"I think we all know what's happening in the world right now with tariffs and what's happening in the Western side. So I think it's a great opportunity for us to be able to grow and open business between Canada and China. Very excited about the duty-free opportunities, especially in Hainan, a lot of duty-free opportunities," said a Canadian exhibitor.
Foreign exhibitors at CICPE see growing prospects in Chinese market
The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum is expected to bring new vitality to the global development and human civilization, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing.
Petro, who delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on Wednesday, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview, while giving a special mention of the importance of the forum as a platform to reshape multilateralism.
"This Forum, held here in China, comes at a pivotal moment in history. And that's precisely what makes it so significant. It is taking place at a time when multilateralism is in urgent need of reshaping. There are some powers who believe they can rule the world through intimidation and shows of force. But with China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries standing together, we must make them understand: history is full of hard lessons. Those who once flexed their military might did not prevail. They may have enjoyed momentary success in the past, but this time, history will not repeat itself," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum's operation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum that under the careful cultivation of both sides over the past 10 years, the China-CELAC Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.
Petro hailed the relations between China and LAC countries over the past decade, saying that the cooperation is expected to energize the global development and human civilization.
"Yes, exactly, a tree. A strong and thriving tree, with deep and well-developed roots firmly anchored in the earth. There's no doubt that over the past ten years, trade in physical goods between China and LAC countries has grown substantially. China is involved in building the Bogota metro project. China is also constructing a port in Peru, and many other large-scale infrastructure projects are being advanced through Chinese investment and engineering expertise. When we link the cultural and civilizational threads of China and LAC countries, it's as if we are nurturing a living tree, one that grows tall toward the sky and promises to bring new vitality to the human civilization," he said.
China-CELAC Forum brings new vitality to global development: Colombian president
