From November 5 to November 10, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) is taking place in Shanghai. This year's CIIE attracted 4,108 enterprises from 138 countries and regions, with top executives from multiple multinational companies expressing their confidence in long-term commitment to the Chinese market.
When John Hong, Deputy CEO of Standard Chartered China, reflected on substantial outcomes derived from the CIIE, he didn't hesitate to call it "an excellent platform that demonstrates China's continuous opening up." He added, "Actually, that's also a very important reason why Standard Chartered has continued to participate in the CIIE for 8 years."
His sentiment is shared by a growing community of international enterprises. For industrial technology leader ABB, the CIIE has delivered measurable results. Lars Eckerlein, General Manager of ABB (China) Limited, shared impressive figures: "Over these 8 years, we've been able to display more than 300 of our advanced products and solutions here at the CIIE."
For global giants like Standard Chartered and ABB, the expo is far more than an annual trade exhibition. It has become a strategic conduit for partnership, innovation, and long-term growth in China and beyond.
"CIIE is an excellent platform that demonstrates China's continuous opening up and the sharing of market opportunities with the rest of the world by welcoming high-quality products and services from abroad into China," said John Hong.
He emphasized that this direction has been "reinforced in the development priorities announced in China's next five-year plan," making the expo a clear example of the country's dedication to global economic integration.
ABB has also signed more than 110 cooperation agreements with valued partners and customers through the CIIE. One standout example is ABB's gas leakage detection system, launched at the CIIE several years ago. "It's been servicing more than 1 million kilometers of gas pipelines, and we've gained more than 150 customers for this solution," Eckerlein revealed.
This year alone, ABB introduced eight new products and displayed around 50 advanced digital and AI-powered solutions at the expo, responding to China's growing demand for cutting-edge technologies.
He specifically highlighted ABB's presence in Guangdong Province, noting the large site for electrification and the smart power business in Xinhui, which ABB will continue to invest in.
In an era of global economic uncertainties, the CIIE offers a reaffirming constant: China's door is still open for the world's businesses and will continue to open.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua, Qin Shaolong
Article | Guo Chuhua
Script | Guo Chuhua
Video | Qin Shaolong
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
