International journalists highlighted trade and technology opportunities at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Nov 5, as a delegation of 105 reporters from 98 countries watched the opening ceremony and then toured the exhibition halls.
The national-level fair dedicated to imports runs through Nov 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with 4,142 overseas exhibitors and a record exhibition area of more than 440,000 square meters.
The opening ceremony highlighted China's efforts to expand imports and the opportunities its market offers overseas businesses.
For Alicia Boucher, a journalist with CCN TV6 in Trinidad and Tobago, the opening ceremony's message of expanding imports was particularly relevant for developing countries, where trade plays an important role in economic development.
Visiting both Shanghai and the CIIE for the first time, Boucher said China's large consumer market could create more opportunities for overseas businesses bringing products to the country. She also viewed efforts to promote more balanced trade as beneficial to international business.
She hoped to learn more about Chinese demand for products from Trinidad and Tobago, including Angostura rum and bitters, and explore their potential for further growth. She also wanted to understand which import categories China was seeking, information she considered valuable for businesses in her country.
Md Obayedlah Mamun, senior correspondent with Bangladesh's NTV, similarly saw the expo as an important platform for Bangladeshi businesses to explore new markets and trading opportunities.
Kalin Iliev Datsov, a journalist with Bulgarian National Radio, said that attending the opening ceremony reinforced his impression of Shanghai's importance to the global economy. He regarded the expo and its accompanying forum as significant platforms for international economic exchange.
