City view of Auckland, New Zealand Photo: Shan Jie/GT

As China maintains a high-standard, open business environment, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has become a critical platform connecting China with the world, offering broad opportunities, Peter McBride, chairman of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

"I've followed CIIE for years, and I'm excited to be in Shanghai to attend this event for the first time. I'm impressed by the energy and opportunities the expo creates for the global market," McBride said ahead of the 8th CIIE, which is the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports.

McBride said China is one of Fonterra's most important strategic markets, noting that the company has achieved significant growth in the country over the past four decades.

Peter McBride, chairman of New Zealand's dairy giant Fonterra Photo: Courtesy of Fonterra

 
Fonterra's growth has benefitted from China's open market and the strong relationship between China and New Zealand. This year is especially meaningful, marking the start of the second decade of the China and New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said McBride, whose company is attending the import-themed expo for the eighth time.

Encouraged by mutual visits by leaders of the two countries in recent years, New Zealand companies have shown high expectations for the CIIE. According to Xinhua News Agency, New Zealand products including fruit juice, honey and bottled water will be among the exhibits on display at the expo, which will start on Wednesday.

The Chinese market has been one of the most important venues for the company to drive innovation, as the company has established a total of six application centers in China to work with local partners to develop new product applications using its dairy ingredients in local cuisine and to meet the fast-changing and upgrading Chinese market needs. said McBride.

"The agile innovation and diversified consumer demand in China make it one of our most vital innovation laboratories, not only for China, but also for the global market," said McBride.