By LI Linxu

At the same time and same place, this year's dating with China International Import Expo (CIIE) is on tiptoe of expectation.

As the world's first national-level import expo, CIIE is turning an increasing number of multinational companies into its loyal fans.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) is decorated to welcome the upcoming sixth CIIE, which is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

Preparations well underway

"We're ready for the expo," Tracy Xie, president of Vale China, told Science and Technology Daily (S&T Daily), adding that Vale attaches great importance to CIIE and has prepared for months for the event.

Vale is an old friend of CIIE, and has participated in all editions of CIIE since its inception in 2018.

"We always choose CIIE as the first platform in China to showcase our new products, new solutions and new initiatives," said Xie, adding that as this year marks the 50th anniversary of its first shipment of iron ore to China, Vale will unveil a Time Tunnel in the exhibition featuring its half a century partnership with China.

Omron is also an old friend of CIIE and this is the sixth consecutive year for the company to join the event.

"Our preparation is well underway," Takashi Higashitani, executive vice president of Omron Healthcare (China), said to S&T Daily, adding that Omron will leverage the expo to showcase its 90 years' innovation history as well as its development history in China.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) is decorated to welcome the upcoming sixth CIIE, which is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

Eyeing New Opportunities

CIIE is an effective platform not only to showcase innovative products, technologies and services, but also to provide opportunities for cooperation and exchanges.

For U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, this year is its fifth time being on CIIE stage. "We'll have a 1,000 m2 booth, one of the largest booths at CIIE," Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of Pfizer China, also chairman of RDPAC, told S&T Daily, revealing that Pfizer will roll out a wide range of innovative products and solutions.

Since the debut at CIIE, seven innovative pharmaceutical products of Pfizer have obtained the regulator's approval to enter the Chinese market, reflecting the expo's spillover effects, said Pointeau, adding that at the expo, Pfizer also reached many cooperative agreements with partners and is looking forward to joining hands with all stakeholders this year. 

"At last year's expo, we discussed about 200 projects with our partners," said Higashitani, speaking highly of CIIE's role in bringing new opportunities, promoting global trade, and linking innovation resources.

Vale also values the cooperation and exchange opportunities provided by CIIE. "There is no other place like CIIE where we could engage such a variety of key stakeholders in one place and within one week," said Xie, adding that, "We will also leverage this year's CIIE to promote Vale's corporate venture capital initiative, to attract innovative startups in China to become our new partners."

Following Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP also came to CIIE last year. This year, the big three iron ore miners will meet again at the expo. "This makes CIIE even more attractive as we could take the opportunity of CIIE to learn from each other," said Xie.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) is decorated to welcome the upcoming sixth CIIE, which is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10. (PHOTO: VCG)

Bullish on China

CIIE sends a positive signal of China's comprehensive expansion of high-quality opening up and strengthening international cooperation, and will inject greater confidence into multinational companies in China, said Pointeau.

The Chinese market has turned into a major opportunity for the world, said Pointeau, vowing that, "In China, for China" is Pfizer's unswerving commitment.

Holding CIIE on an annual basis demonstrates China's determination to promote high-standard opening up and share market opportunities with the rest of the world, which is very encouraging for foreign companies, said Xie.

"We will uphold a long-term commitment to the Chinese market and always put China at the center of our business strategy," said Xie, noting that since 2016, China has become the largest market of Vale.

CIIE presents a unique opportunity for Omron to tap into China's vast market, said Higashitani, indicating that Omron will roll out more innovative health products and technologies catering to the Chinese market.

"China is our largest market with biggest potential, and we strive to grow with China," said Higashitani.