Photo: Xinhua

In the lead up to the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), Canadian entrepreneurs and business leaders have said that they see China's resolution for further opening-up and hope to explore opportunities at the upcoming event in Shanghai.

"I have witnessed the growth in China as the most amazing explosive transformation that I've seen in the world. It is a waste if we are not able to take advantage of CIIE opportunity," said Kevin Au-Yeung, president of the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE).

Some ACCE members attended the first CIIE last year, where they found great opportunities for products and services export to China, Au-Yeung told Xinhua recently.

"We certainly love to do more business with China," he said. "It is the right time for us to explore (opportunities in the CIIE)."

Graham Shantz, president of the Canada-China Business Council, told Xinhua that over 60 Canadian companies are expected to attend the second CIIE. "They will have twice as much presentation area than they had last year."

Noting that the CIIE signals Chinese authorities' willingness to further open up, Shantz said it is important for Canada to join efforts to "defend the rules" at a time when global trade is facing increasing uncertainty and multilateralism under threat.

Nelson Hulli, president of Canada's Dust-Trap Distributions Corp, who had participated in the first CIIE last year, told Xinhua that the expo is huge and well organized. "Many demands (from China), new projects, new products (at the expo)."

That's why Hulli decides to participate in the second CIIE without hesitation. "Like 99 percent, we deal with China. I expect we will have more demand (from China)."

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc., one of Canadian largest producers of ice wine and table wines, also attended the CIIE last year and will set out for Shanghai again.

"We had great success in the show. It was overwhelming. So we're really looking forward to being back this year and continuing to grow our business," said Peter Toms, sales director of the wine company.

The second CIIE will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from Tuesday to Sunday. Enidtem