Deals concluded at the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) reached a record USD73.5 billion this year, up 3.9% from a year earlier, Sun Chenghai, Deputy Director of the CIIE Bureau, said as the six-day exhibition wrapped up. Up to 438 new products, technologies and service items made their debut at this year’s CIIE, up from 422 last year, Sun added. A digital CIIE platform was built for the first time this year. A total of 368 technology and equipment companies took part in the online version by showcasing their latest technologies and solutions, attracting more than 600,000 views. The food and agricultural products area attracted the largest number of attendants, with 1,076 companies from 104 countries taking part in the event. The world’s top 15 pharmaceutical companies and the 10 largest medical equipment makers were present at this year’s CIIE, added Sun.
This is the fifth time for Astra-Zeneca to participate in the annual CIIE. Executive Vice President Leon Wang said the UK pharmaceutical firm has signed 45 contracts at this year’s exhibition, most of which are aimed at increasing investment, deepening cooperation and boosting innovation in China. “We are greatly encouraged by the fact that China’s supply chain is still unimpeded as well as the advantages of China’s manufacturing industry and the opportunities for expanding production capacity, as well as measures taken by local governments to support foreign investment,” Wang said. The fifth CIIE attracted 2,800 companies from 127 countries and regions. A total of 284 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders attended this year’s exhibition, with nearly 90% of them returnees from previous editions. About 100,000 square meters of exhibition space has already been booked for next year’s CIIE.
Prominent integrated circuit companies demonstrated their cutting-edge technologies at the fifth CIIE, highlighting China’s importance in the global semiconductor industrial chain amid external uncertainties. Shen Bo, Senior Vice President of Dutch semiconductor equipment company ASML and President of ASML China, said: “This is the fourth time ASML has participated in the CIIE, and we hope to leverage the platform to continuously demonstrate our openness and collaboration.” Currently, ASML has 15 offices, 11 warehousing and logistics centers, three development centers, one training center and one maintenance center in the Chinese mainland, with more than 1,500 local employees. China will continue to play an integral role in driving the development of a highly collaborative global semiconductor industry, ASML said.
Texas Instruments has utilized the CIIE to announce its expansion in China. TI is expanding its assembly and test capacity in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and upgrading automation at its Shanghai product distribution center. Jiang Han, Vice President of TI and president of TI China, said: “We are excited to offer our customers stronger local support, address their needs quickly and efficiently, and help them succeed. The expansion further underscores our deep commitment to supporting our customers in China.”
Intel also found the CIIE useful. Wang Rui, Senior Vice President, said, “Intel is very pleased to participate in the Expo, which is an important platform to promote international exchanges, and comes with huge opportunities for global cooperation.” Having been deeply involved in the Chinese market for 37 years, the U.S. company regards the country as one of the top priorities of its global strategy, Wang said. “In 2022, Qualcomm’s participation has once again shown its confidence in the long-term sustainability of the Chinese market and the determination to work with Chinese partners to develop domestic and international markets and drive win-win development,” Frank Meng, Chairman of Qualcomm China, said, as reported by the China Daily and Global Times.
