CIIE Photo:CFP

Preparations are in full swing for the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is set to take place from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, with Friday marking the event's 100-day countdown.

The CIIE this year will see a series of innovative measures designed to continuously provide valuable opportunities for all global partners, which an expert said represents China's firm stance of open cooperation.

As the invitation confirmation process for the country pavilion exhibition approaches completion, over 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the CIIE. Countries including Sweden and the United Arab Emirates will serve as guest countries of honor, while Kyrgyzstan will make its debut at the CIIE's country exhibition, Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau, revealed on Friday.

The CIIE will set up a dedicated zone for products from the least-developed countries for the first time, while further expanding and upgrading the African product zone. 

The move is aimed at assisting the least-developed countries and the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China in fully leveraging the benefits of zero-tariff policies, and helping their companies and products to explore the Chinese market and share the immense opportunities presented by China's development, according to the CIIE Bureau.

"This represents China's efforts to translate its zero-tariff policy into tangible market opportunities, demonstrating China's firm stance of opening-up and cooperation on the international stage, as well as its sense of responsibility as a major country," Wang Peng, a research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

Since December 1, 2024, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African nations, on 100 percent of their products.

China announced in June that it will expand zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic ties, according to Xinhua.

Furthermore, through the CIIE, China offers these countries a platform to showcase their products and engage in exchanges and cooperation. The expo can enhance their participation in global economic collaboration and governance, and it also marks China's contribution to a more equitable, inclusive, and beneficial global economic framework, Wang noted.

The eighth CIIE will have exhibition space of over 330,000 square meters, and 170 companies and 27 institutions have confirmed their participation for eight consecutive sessions. Furthermore, 60 overseas exhibition groups from 40 countries and regions have confirmed their attendance, with the number of participating companies from Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, and Peru reaching record highs, fully reflecting the strong confidence in the Chinese economy and their enthusiasm for the CIIE, Wu said.

At this year's CIIE, German multinational Henkel is expanding its presence with a 150-square-meter booth to warmly welcome partners from around the world. Together with two strategic business units - Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Henkel Consumer Brands - the firm will showcase a comprehensive portfolio of innovation solutions, according to information the company shared with the Global Times.

"The tangible outcomes we've achieved at the CIIE have only reinforced our confidence and strengthened our commitment to long-term investment in the Chinese market," said Anna An, president of Henkel Greater China.

German life sciences company Bayer said that it will also participate in CIIE 2025, the eighth time it will attend the fair.

The CIIE has become a window for China to build a new development pattern and a platform for promoting high-level opening-up, the firm said, adding that it also offers investment and growth opportunities.