The China International Import Expo (CIIE) has once again set new records in its seventh consecutive year, attracting 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. This year’s event featured participation from 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, with 186 returning exhibitors, demonstrating sustained confidence in China's open market.
A recent survey by CGTN, involving 33,858 global respondents, revealed that 67% view China as an open and competitive free market. This sentiment is even stronger in regions like Africa (86.6%), the Middle East (88.2%), South America (77.9%), and Southeast Asia (78.6%).
Openness remains the cornerstone of CIIE and a defining feature of Chinese-style modernization. According to Chinese Customs, China's import and export values for the first three quarters of this year surpassed historical highs, each quarter exceeding 10 trillion RMB ($1.40 trillion), with a total exceeding 32 trillion RMB ($4.47 trillion).
The survey also highlighted that 77.5% of respondents find China's business environment attractive to investors, and 73.9% support their countries and companies engaging in international cooperation projects initiated by China. Additionally, 78.5% believe their countries benefit from trade with China, and 84.3% recognize China's critical role in maintaining global industrial and supply chain stability.
CIIE has consistently provided a platform for global integration, particularly benefiting exhibitors from Global South countries. This year, the Expo featured over 120 free exhibition booths for 37 least developed countries and expanded the African product section, facilitating the inclusion of products like Tanzanian cashews, Rwandan peppers, and Zambian honey into Chinese markets.
African respondents showed strong support, with 89.9% appreciating China's attention and support for Global South countries, 78.2% recognizing China's commitment to linking its development with Africa's, and 92.1% supporting African participation in China's international cooperation programs.
The resilience of China's economy underpins the global confidence reflected in the CIIE. An impressive 92.3% of global respondents praised China’s strong economic strength, 91.9% noted the rapid pace of its economic development, 81.3% affirmed the enduring positive fundamentals of its economy, and 89.2% lauded China's contributions to the world economy in recent years.
The survey data originates from the 2024 Global Favorability poll on China and the Poll on China-Africa Relations by CGTN, encompassing responses from developed nations like the United States, France, and Japan, as well as developing countries such as Egypt, Brazil, and Nigeria.
Reference(s):
Global respondents: CIIE takes "big market" to "big opportunities"
cgtn.com
