Global exhibitors hail business opportunities at Hainan consumer products expo

International and Chinese exhibitors at the just concluded 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) are giving warm feedback to the event, calling it a new effective gateway to emerging markets and business opportunities.

CICPE is China's first national-level exhibition focused on consumer goods, staged in Haikou, the country's southernmost island province of Hainan. This year's edition ran from April 13 to 18 and has seen record-breaking participation, with 1,767 companies and 4,209 consumer brands from 71 countries and regions.

The event has also drawn over 60,000 professional buyers, marking a more than 10 percent increase compared to last year's.

Through business matching sessions and other networking activities, 52 tentative agreements were signed, totaling an estimated value of 92 billion yuan, or approximately 12.6 billion U.S. dollars.

Switzerland, represented at the expo for the fifth consecutive year, emphasized the event's significance for Swiss businesses.

"It's the fifth edition already of a Swiss pavilion at the Hainan Expo. We were here at the first one as a country of honor. And the fact that we have been here for five times now in a row shows actually the significance of Hainan Expo for Swiss exhibitors and Swiss companies," said Joel Saurina, Counselor and Head of Swiss Business Hub China.

Zhang Han, a representative of a U.S. firm, also expressed optimism about the Chinese market, particularly in the context of cutting-edge technologies.

"China's technological advancements, including AI and robots, are undoubtedly globally leading. We are confident that these technologies will have a positive impact on the consumer industry and are very optimistic about the prospect of the Chinese market," she said.

Domestic exhibitors have leveraged the expo to forge partnerships and upgrade supply chains.

"Chinese consumers are increasingly demanding personalized products. And they are becoming more mature, leading to more segmented markets," exhibitor Guo Luo noted.

Another exhibitor Xu Biwei showcased how ceramic innovations redefine traditions while pursuing cross-industry collaborations to expand globally.

"We brought a range of consumer products to demonstrate how ceramics can be reinvented in new forms. We are working to diversify our product lines, expand into new markets and industries, and actively pursue cross-industry integration," Xu said.

CICPE not only highlighted the appeal of the Chinese market but also injected new momentum into the global consumer market with its innovative spirit and openness.

"Having conversations and learning more about new brands, new brands to the Chinese market, and be able to tell our stories to a new consumer who's so educated, and we're hoping to introduce that to the Chinese market soon," said Jon Hosty from a British clothing brand.

A Thai-based food company said CICPE provides a key platform for businesses to learn about evolving consumer demands.

"Through this platform, we've gained a deeper understanding of overseas and Chinese market demands, allowing us to better align [products]with the rising living standards and growing pursuit of quality life among Chinese consumers. We are eager to further collaborate with the CICPE and work together toward mutual growth and prosperity," said Xue Zengyi, the exhibitor.

Global exhibitors hail business opportunities at Hainan consumer products expo

A Chinese medical team is intensifying disease prevention efforts in Myanmar's Mandalay, to curb outbreak risks after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the country in March.

Mandalay is among the hardest-hit regions and faces compounding crises including disrupted water supplies, overcrowded shelters, and degraded sanitation systems. Equipped with emergency medical supplies and equipment, the Chinese team with experts from the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, focuses on mitigating disease risks in quake-affected regions.

The 50-member team has conducted the second round of investigations at four shelter sites in the city. Their work includes mosquito-borne disease surveillance, environmental sampling, disinfection training, and post-disaster mental health support for survivors.

"Our epidemic prevention team has conducted monitoring and assessment of vector-borne organisms at each shelter site, and carried out environmental disinfection based on the monitoring findings to reduce vector density and thus minimize the risk of vector-borne diseases. We have also conducted regular monitoring of drinking water samples and sewage systems to identify signs of waterborne disease outbreaks early, enabling timely and effective intervention," said Chen Lei, deputy director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration's emergency response department and leader of the medical team. The Chinese medical tea has established collaboration mechanisms with Mandalay's provincial government and health department, providing specialized training to local medical personnel to enhance long-term resilience.

"We are very graceful to have the opportunity to participate in such technical training, where we have learned more professional knowledge beyond our regular work, understood what action we should take in such disasters, and what international standards and experiences are. To share such knowledge is very helpful for us to improve and make progress," said Thura Aung, a medical worker in Mandalay's Chanmyathazi Township.

The earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, claiming nearly 3,800 lives and injuring more than 5,000 people, with 129 others still unaccounted for as of April 18, according to official data.

The team's deployment is part of China's ongoing post-disaster relief mission. Its trip marks China's second health and epidemic prevention aid mission to Myanmar. The first team returned on April 6 after a nine-day deployment.

Chinese medical team bolsters post-quake disease control in Mandalay