CIIF reaffirms 'manufacturing edge'

Up to 500 new products and technologies made their debuts at the China International Industry Fair, which commenced in Shanghai on Tuesday. A majority of the products are tailored for the China market, reflecting the exhibitors' strong confidence in the domestic market and China's manufacturing capabilities.

The fair, which is being held amid China's ongoing efforts to regain industrial momentum since the COVID-19 epidemic, also saw several global debuts of products, according to Yao Chunyu, deputy general manager of Donghao Lansheng (Group) Co Ltd, one of the organizers of the CIIF.

The significant growth in new product and tech debuts is largely because there have been very few high standard industrial exhibitions this year, said Yao.

Themed "Intelligence & Interconnection Empowering New Industrial Development", this year's CIIF spread over an area of 245,000 square meters and has more than 2,000 exhibitors showcasing their latest technologies, products and services in nine exhibition areas, said Rong Zhiqin, vice-chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

This year, Guangdong-based Midea Group has used the largest corporate exhibition space of up to 1,000 square meters to showcase its signature products in robotics, industrial automation, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems and smart logistics.

Industrial robot maker Kuka launched its first indigenously developed robot at the fair. The product, available for purchase worldwide, can be used in various industries including the electronics sector, which usually have high operational accuracy requirements, said Hao Wenbin, a manager with Kuka China.

Global industrial giant ABB unveiled its small six-axis industrial robot IRB1300 and showcased more than a dozen other robotic products and solutions at the CIIF.

"Today China is a global driving force in robotics and automation. The promotion of new economic development models and new infrastructure in the country has enabled us to explore new opportunities in several industries, such as new energy vehicles, 5G and consumer electronics, logistics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, education, and in areas such as healthcare where robots have immense potential," said Gu Chunyuan, chairman of ABB China.

ZKH Industrial Supply (Shanghai) Co Ltd showcased the nation's first industrial intelligent unmanned warehouse concept at the CIIF, and the same is expected to start in November in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, according to the Chinese digitalized industrial products service platform.

The CIIF is the first offline exhibition attended by SAP globally this year, and the company looks forward to demonstrating its latest products and solutions, said Jason Chiu, director of COE (center of excellence), SAP digital supply chain.

Shi Hongyan, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said many well-known international exhibitions had canceled their participation this year due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

"As China's first national-level industrial exhibition this year, the CIIF is a benchmark of sorts for global industrial exhibitions and demonstrates China's commitment to opening-up and is spurring the global economic recovery," said Shi.

Since 1999, the CIIF has been an important platform for showcasing latest technologies, products and services.