A truck loaded with the first batch of exhibits arrives at the north square of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), a main venue for the fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE), in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 23, 2021. (Photo: Xinhua)

Preparatory work for the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is set to bring some 3,000 exhibitors from 127 countries and regions to Shanghai, has entered the homestretch with stringent epidemic control measures being observed, which has offered much reassurance for participants from around the world. 

The CIIE is scheduled to be held from Friday to November 10 and the number of companies and participating countries exceeding that of last year, according to Sun Chenghai, an official with the CIIE.

Despite the recent flare-ups of COVID-19 in the country, exhibitors attending the CIIE in person said that they feel safe and reassured by China's remarkable epidemic emergency response and prevention measures. 

Such reassured sentiment among guests came just days after Shanghai has been praised widely across the country for its remarkable emergency epidemic response and the well-organized pandemic prevention methods in handling possible exposure at the Shanghai Disney Resort, which has resumed operations on Tuesday.

Still, this year's CIIE has strengthened epidemic prevention and control measures. According to the CIIE bureau, all participants must provide a negative nucleic acid test certificate received within two days before entering the venue. All domestic participants must finish the full COVID-19 vaccination at least two weeks before entering the expo venue. 

Attendees from outside of the Chinese mainland will be subject to a 14-day quarantine at designated hotels and a seven-day self-quarantine before entering the CIIE, according to latest official notices.

Constantine Vuscan from Romania, business development manager of furnishing company Roominnovation, is attending the CIIE for the first time as an exhibitor.

Entering China from Romania, Vuscan said he went through 14 days of mandatory quarantine and seven days of home self-monitoring isolation before being allowed to enter the CIIE pavilion, and the exhibits are subject to specific measures of disinfection.

"The process was explained to us in detail. We were provided with printed documents that took us through all the phases of the process, so I feel comfortable about following the required steps," he said.

"I feel that the process of implementation of epidemic prevention and control at CIIE is worthy, in order to be absolutely sure about the safety of all participants at this important event," he added.

Ken Wong, director of All Times Healthy Co from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), who is attending the CIIE for the fourth time, also voiced his confidence and support for antivirus efforts for the event.

"I feel very safe because the CIIE has taken enough prevention and control measures. For example, all exhibitors must have had two shots of vaccines before entering the venue, which is a very strict prevention and control measure. In addition, all exhibitors should be tested for nucleic acid 48 hours before every time they enter the venue," he said.

The epidemic control and prevention measures for exhibitors and exhibits are stricter compared with previous years, he noted.

Arriving from the HKSAR, the quarantine time was extended to 21 days from 14 days last year. The inspection of his exhibits, mainly health products, was also prolonged for two weeks, he said.

"It shows that [officials] made great efforts in epidemic prevention and control and attached great importance to the event," he said. 

Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the CIIE bureau, said that enterprises from various countries and regions have expressed a strong willingness to participate in this year's exhibition. 

The number of exhibitors and exhibition areas of countries from the US, Japan, Germany, France, Britain and Italy have increased or remained the same, compared with the previous three sessions. More than 370 enterprises from the HKSAR, the Macao SAR and island of Taiwan are taking part in this year's CIIE, with an exhibition area of more than 50,000 square meters total, Sun said.

"It is true that it's not easy travelling so many miles, especially in the time of COVID-19, facing restrictions and severe regulations, but personally I consider all these a sacrifice worth making, when you compare it with the benefits of participating in the CIIE," Vunscan said.

During the event, Roominnovation is going to showcase mobile beds and walls designed to suit young households.

"CIIE is the most prestigious international fair of its kind and the Chinese market has the biggest potential in the whole world in terms of domestic demand and production resources. I am sure that being here, meeting real potential customers and partners, will enhance the chances of reaching our goals," he said.