Editor's Note:

The Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Despite difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, global traders are going to gather at the annual event online and offline to showcase their products and services in various fields including health care, artificial intelligence (AI), and carbon neutrality, looking forward to a better performance in the Chinese market.

The Global Times interviewed 15 foreign diplomats in Beijing and Shanghai about their engagement and expectations for this year's CIIE.

CIIE

Jesús Seade Kuri 

Ambassador of Mexico in China

We know well the potential that quality products have in this great market. Mexico is keen to approach retailers and consumers in China at this expo.

Our expectations for CIIE are always positive. We want to continue showing the high variety and quality of our products to the Chinese consumers. Visitors will find Mexican coffee, chocolate, wonderful sauces, dressings, spices, condiments, chia seeds, tequila, beer, wine, juice, and even some Mexican-made jewelry.

I'm convinced that having more Mexican presence in China is key to our mutual trade, and key to enhance our people-to-people knowledge, contacts and friendship.

Jesús Seade Kuri Ambassador of Mexico in China

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura

Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai

This year we have reserved a pavilion of 180 square meters in the food section of the CIIE. In this pavilion, 16 Brazilian companies will be presenting some of the best Brazilian products for the Chinese public. Beyond that, many Brazilian companies will have their own pavilions. Finally, visitors can find out more about Brazil on the CIIE website or app. 

CIIE has consolidated itself as one of the most important trade events in Asia. We hope that this year the exhibition will be a milestone for the growth of the world economy.

 

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera

Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai

The CIIE is an important showcase for Cuban exporters to show what they have to offer to the Chinese market. The event is also an excellent opportunity for the promotion of foreign investment in Cuba, which is helping the economy grow, despite the limitations imposed by the US blockade. 

Our virtual pavilion will feature Cuba's leading industries in culture and tourism, along with fishery products, coffee, cigar, different brands of rum, and high-tech drugs and biotechnological equipment and services, designed for improving human health and food production.

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai

Yok Yee Chan

Consul General of Fiji in Shanghai

Fiji expects to meet thousands and millions of potential Chinese buyers through the platform of CIIE. We see CIIE as a multi-purpose platform to promote Fiji in general, including our tourism, and to connect people.

Apart from introducing new, premium, high-quality products to the Chinese market, we would like for the Chinese to know much more about Fiji, especially as a holiday destination. This year, on the 1st of December, Fiji is once again opening up its national borders, to welcome international travelers to Fiji for holidays.

Yok Yee Chan Consul General of Fiji in Shanghai

Deny Wachyudi Kurnia 

Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai

Various Indonesian products popular in China are taking advantage of the CIIE and participating in this year's CIIE. 

This year's CIIE will include emerging global sectors, such as low carbon energy, environmental protection technology, innovation incubation, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and health technology. I am eager to visit hydrogen-powered cars, one of the highlights of this year's CIIE.

It is not surprising that this year there will be far larger exhibitors, including more small and medium enterprises. That will indicate the hallmark of an attractive and successful CIIE. 

Deny Wachyudi Kurnia Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai

Edward Shapira 

Consul General of Israel in Shanghai 

Israeli companies are participating very actively in presenting water treatment technologies, medical devices, and agriculture-related products. 

The number of Israeli companies is growing all the time. Last year, the bilateral trade turnover exceeded $15 billion, the highest we have ever experienced with China. This demonstrated that China has become our second largest trading partner. Next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We will organize a very important meeting on innovation cooperation which represents the possibilities and the intention of both sides to explore and deepen our economic relations.

Edward Shapira Consul General of Israel in Shanghai

Marjo Crompvoets

Consul General of the Netherlands in Shanghai

We have 12 Dutch companies - well known ones like Philips (Signify), ASML, Port of Rotterdam as well as SMEs, participating at the CIIE. Their participation is a reflection of our common responses to the post-pandemic world - as we are coming to a clearer realization that human health and the health of the planet go hand in hand and that global threats need global collaboration.

Fairs such as the CIIE can play a positive role in facilitating more collaboration. The private sector plays a pivotal role in combating the pandemic.

Marjo Crompvoets Consul General of the Netherlands in Shanghai

Stephen Wong

Consul General of New Zealand in ShanghaiThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has required China and participating countries to be flexible, creative, and adaptable in how we can take full advantage of this year's Expo. New Zealand is very pleased to host a virtual national pavilion for the CIIE that will build awareness of our innovative industries, premium products, culture and lifestyle. 

New Zealand's engagement with the CIIE is also consistent with our country's focus on ensuring global supply chains remain stable and robust, which is also a key theme of New Zealand's APEC host year.

Stephen Wong Consul General of New Zealand in Shanghai

Lise Nordgaard

Consul General of Norway in Shanghai

Despite today's international travel restrictions, 80 percent of Norwegian companies are returning to CIIE this year. 

Norwegian companies maintain a strong focus on ensuring their products and solutions are sustainable and environmentally friendly. One of the Norwegian companies at this year's CIIE has, for example, developed a specialized technology to optimize resources and minimize waste in the food industry. These types of new technologies can become great contributions toward the circular economy that both Norway and China are moving toward.

Lise Nordgaard Consul General of Norway in Shanghai

Marie-Claire Swärd Capra

Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai

The CIIE is a huge conference and very important for Swedish companies. There is great market potential for Swedish companies in China. So Sweden's participation in the CIIE is very consistent. And now due to COVID-19, like last year, we will not have any overseas delegations coming in. But there would be good participation from Swedish companies who are here in China. Sweden-China trade is very balanced. China still holds the 5th and the 6th places for goods imports and exports for Sweden.

Marie-Claire Swärd Capra Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai

Olivier Zehnder

Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai

I have been here in Shanghai since the first inception of this important conference. Each time we've had a large number of Swiss companies who have distinguished themselves by the quality of the products or services they were presenting. 

People can witness the commitment of Swiss sectors and Swiss companies toward innovation excellence and the commitment of our companies toward a long-term relationship with China, also a commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency. It's also a commitment to the creation of talents in China through the support of vocational training initiatives.

Olivier Zehnder Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai

Hüseyin Emre Engin

Consul General of Turkey in Shanghai

This year will be a hybrid exhibition. We will be participating in the CIIE by the representatives of our companies as no one is able to travel to China. We will have a virtual pavilion to showcase our products, especially our products from the Aegean region.

Our basic expectation is to ensure the long-term commitments of our companies.

CIIE is not only about selling products. It's also about showcasing the culture of the countries because products, especially food products and beverages, are important parts of the Turkish culture.

Hüseyin Emre Engin Consul General of Turkey in Shanghai

H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Alnaqbi 

Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai

UAE companies and companies around the world have high hopes for the CIIE which is a valuable opportunity to access the huge market in China. UAE companies will showcase themselves at the CIIE and hold talks with their Chinese counterparts. 

Some exhibitors will take innovative ways to negotiate and display their products through the internet. I very much appreciate Shanghai's efforts in preparing for this year's expo. Shanghai is a very dynamic city. We are also looking forward to participating in the 5th CIIE next year.

H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Alnaqbi Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai

Leisbeth Berrios Leon

Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Shanghai

Venezuela will be participating in the 4th China International Import Expo. Venezuela was present in 2018 and 2019 where we were able to sign some agreements to bring shrimp from Venezuela to this Asian market with huge demand. This time we will participate online to offer you various products - tropical fruits, coffee, fish, and many other things. Our market seems small, but it can be large when it is time to meet the needs of the Chinese people. It is a wonderful event for us to meet each other to satisfy demand.

Leisbeth Berrios Leon Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Shanghai

Xavier Chatte-Ruols

Commercial Consul of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai

For the fourth time France will have a French pavilion at the CIIE. We will host an agricultural food business pavilion and welcome 10 companies plus two French regions.

For the French companies, we expect a lot of contact and partnership. We also hope that the Chinese consumers will taste and discover French food products and French wine. I believe that the French offer can provide good quality and safe products, which is very important to Chinese consumers, especially now in the COVID-19 context.

Xavier Chatte-Ruols Commercial consul of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai

Editor's Note:

The Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. Despite difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, global traders are going to gather at the annual event online and offline to showcase their products and services in various fields including health care, artificial intelligence (AI), and carbon neutrality, looking forward to a better performance in the Chinese market.

The Global Times interviewed 15 foreign diplomats in Beijing and Shanghai about their engagement and expectations for this year's CIIE.

CIIE

Jesús Seade Kuri 

Ambassador of Mexico in China

We know well the potential that quality products have in this great market. Mexico is keen to approach retailers and consumers in China at this expo.

Our expectations for CIIE are always positive. We want to continue showing the high variety and quality of our products to the Chinese consumers. Visitors will find Mexican coffee, chocolate, wonderful sauces, dressings, spices, condiments, chia seeds, tequila, beer, wine, juice, and even some Mexican-made jewelry.

I'm convinced that having more Mexican presence in China is key to our mutual trade, and key to enhance our people-to-people knowledge, contacts and friendship.

Jesús Seade Kuri Ambassador of Mexico in China

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura

Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai

This year we have reserved a pavilion of 180 square meters in the food section of the CIIE. In this pavilion, 16 Brazilian companies will be presenting some of the best Brazilian products for the Chinese public. Beyond that, many Brazilian companies will have their own pavilions. Finally, visitors can find out more about Brazil on the CIIE website or app. 

CIIE has consolidated itself as one of the most important trade events in Asia. We hope that this year the exhibition will be a milestone for the growth of the world economy.

 

Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura Consul General of Brazil in Shanghai

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera

Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai

The CIIE is an important showcase for Cuban exporters to show what they have to offer to the Chinese market. The event is also an excellent opportunity for the promotion of foreign investment in Cuba, which is helping the economy grow, despite the limitations imposed by the US blockade. 

Our virtual pavilion will feature Cuba's leading industries in culture and tourism, along with fishery products, coffee, cigar, different brands of rum, and high-tech drugs and biotechnological equipment and services, designed for improving human health and food production.

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai

Yok Yee Chan

Consul General of Fiji in Shanghai

Fiji expects to meet thousands and millions of potential Chinese buyers through the platform of CIIE. We see CIIE as a multi-purpose platform to promote Fiji in general, including our tourism, and to connect people.

Apart from introducing new, premium, high-quality products to the Chinese market, we would like for the Chinese to know much more about Fiji, especially as a holiday destination. This year, on the 1st of December, Fiji is once again opening up its national borders, to welcome international travelers to Fiji for holidays.

Yok Yee Chan Consul General of Fiji in Shanghai

Deny Wachyudi Kurnia 

Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai

Various Indonesian products popular in China are taking advantage of the CIIE and participating in this year's CIIE. 

This year's CIIE will include emerging global sectors, such as low carbon energy, environmental protection technology, innovation incubation, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and health technology. I am eager to visit hydrogen-powered cars, one of the highlights of this year's CIIE.

It is not surprising that this year there will be far larger exhibitors, including more small and medium enterprises. That will indicate the hallmark of an attractive and successful CIIE. 

Deny Wachyudi Kurnia Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai

Edward Shapira 

Consul General of Israel in Shanghai 

Israeli companies are participating very actively in presenting water treatment technologies, medical devices, and agriculture-related products. 

The number of Israeli companies is growing all the time. Last year, the bilateral trade turnover exceeded $15 billion, the highest we have ever experienced with China. This demonstrated that China has become our second largest trading partner. Next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We will organize a very important meeting on innovation cooperation which represents the possibilities and the intention of both sides to explore and deepen our economic relations.

Edward Shapira Consul General of Israel in Shanghai

Marjo Crompvoets

Consul General of the Netherlands in Shanghai

We have 12 Dutch companies - well known ones like Philips (Signify), ASML, Port of Rotterdam as well as SMEs, participating at the CIIE. Their participation is a reflection of our common responses to the post-pandemic world - as we are coming to a clearer realization that human health and the health of the planet go hand in hand and that global threats need global collaboration.

Fairs such as the CIIE can play a positive role in facilitating more collaboration. The private sector plays a pivotal role in combating the pandemic.

Marjo Crompvoets Consul General of the Netherlands in Shanghai

Stephen Wong

Consul General of New Zealand in ShanghaiThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has required China and participating countries to be flexible, creative, and adaptable in how we can take full advantage of this year's Expo. New Zealand is very pleased to host a virtual national pavilion for the CIIE that will build awareness of our innovative industries, premium products, culture and lifestyle. 

New Zealand's engagement with the CIIE is also consistent with our country's focus on ensuring global supply chains remain stable and robust, which is also a key theme of New Zealand's APEC host year.

Stephen Wong Consul General of New Zealand in Shanghai

Lise Nordgaard

Consul General of Norway in Shanghai

Despite today's international travel restrictions, 80 percent of Norwegian companies are returning to CIIE this year. 

Norwegian companies maintain a strong focus on ensuring their products and solutions are sustainable and environmentally friendly. One of the Norwegian companies at this year's CIIE has, for example, developed a specialized technology to optimize resources and minimize waste in the food industry. These types of new technologies can become great contributions toward the circular economy that both Norway and China are moving toward.

Lise Nordgaard Consul General of Norway in Shanghai

Marie-Claire Swärd Capra

Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai

The CIIE is a huge conference and very important for Swedish companies. There is great market potential for Swedish companies in China. So Sweden's participation in the CIIE is very consistent. And now due to COVID-19, like last year, we will not have any overseas delegations coming in. But there would be good participation from Swedish companies who are here in China. Sweden-China trade is very balanced. China still holds the 5th and the 6th places for goods imports and exports for Sweden.

Marie-Claire Swärd Capra Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai

Olivier Zehnder

Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai

I have been here in Shanghai since the first inception of this important conference. Each time we've had a large number of Swiss companies who have distinguished themselves by the quality of the products or services they were presenting. 

People can witness the commitment of Swiss sectors and Swiss companies toward innovation excellence and the commitment of our companies toward a long-term relationship with China, also a commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency. It's also a commitment to the creation of talents in China through the support of vocational training initiatives.

Olivier Zehnder Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai

Hüseyin Emre Engin

Consul General of Turkey in Shanghai

This year will be a hybrid exhibition. We will be participating in the CIIE by the representatives of our companies as no one is able to travel to China. We will have a virtual pavilion to showcase our products, especially our products from the Aegean region.

Our basic expectation is to ensure the long-term commitments of our companies.

CIIE is not only about selling products. It's also about showcasing the culture of the countries because products, especially food products and beverages, are important parts of the Turkish culture.

Hüseyin Emre Engin Consul General of Turkey in Shanghai

H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Alnaqbi 

Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai

UAE companies and companies around the world have high hopes for the CIIE which is a valuable opportunity to access the huge market in China. UAE companies will showcase themselves at the CIIE and hold talks with their Chinese counterparts. 

Some exhibitors will take innovative ways to negotiate and display their products through the internet. I very much appreciate Shanghai's efforts in preparing for this year's expo. Shanghai is a very dynamic city. We are also looking forward to participating in the 5th CIIE next year.

H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Alnaqbi Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai

Leisbeth Berrios Leon

Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Shanghai

Venezuela will be participating in the 4th China International Import Expo. Venezuela was present in 2018 and 2019 where we were able to sign some agreements to bring shrimp from Venezuela to this Asian market with huge demand. This time we will participate online to offer you various products - tropical fruits, coffee, fish, and many other things. Our market seems small, but it can be large when it is time to meet the needs of the Chinese people. It is a wonderful event for us to meet each other to satisfy demand.

Leisbeth Berrios Leon Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Shanghai

Xavier Chatte-Ruols

Commercial Consul of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai

For the fourth time France will have a French pavilion at the CIIE. We will host an agricultural food business pavilion and welcome 10 companies plus two French regions.

For the French companies, we expect a lot of contact and partnership. We also hope that the Chinese consumers will taste and discover French food products and French wine. I believe that the French offer can provide good quality and safe products, which is very important to Chinese consumers, especially now in the COVID-19 context.

Xavier Chatte-Ruols Commercial consul of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai