Expo guarantees a brighter future

Editor's Note: This year marks the 5th anniversary of the China International Import Expo. The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who are involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories and have received a large number of warm responses so far.

China SDIC International Trade Co holds a signing ceremony during the fourth CIIE. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

It will be a little more than three months until I attend the CIIE in November again.

In 2021, I was appointed chairman of China SDIC International Trade Co and attended the fourth CIIE that year for the first time. Our company, which is the branch of State Development and Investment Corp (SDIC) specializing in trade, new materials and Belt and Road Initiative-related businesses, signed tentative deals with 19 foreign companies to purchase about $1 billion worth of goods including barley, cotton, manganese, edible oil, and meat. This value of intended deals was our highest in all editions of the expo.

During the signing ceremony, I spoke with Fernando Lugris, Uruguay's ambassador to China, and he said he was upbeat about China's economic development. I then went to the booths of our suppliers to view their latest products and innovations after the ceremony.

The CIIE has strengthened our cooperation with old partners and also brought new partners. The expo helps connect domestic and foreign markets and promote global development.

China SDIC International Trade Co has been a member of the State-owned enterprise trade mission to the CIIE since 2018. To date, the company has reached $3.466 billion in tentative procurement deals with 51 foreign exhibitors during the expo and $1.906 billion worth of agreements were signed with companies from countries along the Belt and Road, accounting for 55 percent of the total.

Some of our new partners were suspicious of our intentions at the start, but our efforts to fulfill the agreements always allayed their concerns. Last year, one of our partners said in an interview that China had become the largest export market for Cambodian bananas and orders from China SDIC International Trade Co had generated more benefits for local farmers. I felt very proud when learning of this.

China's efforts in further opening-up have unveiled its huge market potential and attracted a large number of foreign businesses. Chinese companies should grasp the chance and make efforts to ensure stable industrial and supply chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for more than two years and caused severe impact on global trade. But the CIIE, which will take place year after year, has bolstered the confidence of foreign trade companies, including us. I am looking forward to the fifth CIIE, which I believe will bring enormous opportunities.

Wu Shiyong

Wu Shiyong has been the chairman of China SDIC International Trade Co since 2021. He has won the second prize of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award four times.

Five years on, share your CIIE stories with us

Over the past five years the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has gone from strength to strength, breaking new ground on every year it has been held. The CIIE has made landmark achievements in international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchange and open cooperation.

The CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) launched the "My CIIE Story" activity on June 1 to invite people who were involved in the previous CIIEs to share their stories. The activity has received a large number of warm responses so far and excellent works are being published in succession.

We look forward to more CIIE stories! Tell us about some of the unique experiences you've had at the CIIE over the past years, from meeting new clients and partners, to opening up new markets and networking opportunities. No matter who you are, be you exhibitor or buyer, or volunteer, you are welcome to tell your stories of the CIIE.

Languages for solicitation: Chinese, English and French

Solicitation time:

For written stories, from now to September 30, 2022

For video materials, from now to November 30, 2022

Collection method:

You can submit written stories, story outlines, graphics or video material demonstrating your personal feelings or those of your team in relation to the CIIE at an online platform.

Scan the QR code to submit your story.

You can also send your written stories to ciiestories@ciie.org with the subject line "My CIIE Story submission", or send videos to ciiestories2@ciie.org with the subject line "Video submission".

Any information you provide to the activity will be protected. Please see the notice on the official website of the CIIE for more details.