This photo taken on October 29, 2023, shows a decoration featuring the logo for the 2023 CIIE in Shanghai. Photo: VCG

Including a piece created by Jeff Koons, one of the world's most established Pop art artists, the first batch of artworks that will be exhibited at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) are currently being shipped from the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone in Shanghai. 

Besides a large sculpture made by Koons, works by other artists such as Japanese creator Rokkaku Ayako's paintings are parts of the first batch of exhibition items. 

Also to be shown at CIIE are nearly 70 high value artworks, including major paintings by Impressionist master Claude Monet, French Fauvist ­movement pioneer Henri Matisse, contemporary ­Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara and Chinese master Zhang Daqian, one of the most ­prodigious Chinese artists of the 20th century.

All those works, set to go on display at CIIE starting November 5, have a total declared value of nearly $700 million. 

Li Liyang, an art researcher and museum expert, told the Global Times that these works are truly "blockbusters" and that the selected artists are "iconic for their time and generally the most popular figures in the art market. 

In 2019, Koons' 1986 masterpiece Rabbit was sold at an auction for $91 million, making it the most expensive artwork by a still living artist. 

These works are able to be brought to CIIE due to the supportive customs services and friendly import regulations offered by China. 

These items are being imported through a "free tax display trade," which allows them to be displayed for a term of six months. Each term can be renewed three additional times for a total of two years of display time. 

This creates more flexible opportunities for these artworks to tour around the country before the opening of the CIIE. 

It also increases the possibility that works will be sold after the CIIE, as owners can still choose to keep them in a Free Trade Zone as they find buyers. 

"We are exploring a new mode of customs regulatory services that is compatible with the development of international high-end art and culture trade, and reduces exhibitors' time and capital costs through policy support and services," said Dai Qian, the deputy customs director at the ­Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone. 

It is estimated that there will be a total of 135 cultural and artistic works on display at the upcoming CIIE in Shanghai. 

The gala has dedicated a whole zone to host these precious artworks. At nearly 3,000 square meters, the zone is the largest in the Expo's history. 

In addition to artworks, renowned art exhibitors from countries such as the UK, the US and Singapore will also be at CIIE. 

The notable "top three" in the auction field - Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips - will also attend. 

The "cultural and arts" section first debuted at the 4th CIIE in 2021, Li told the Global Times, noting that as an ­established trading and exhibition platform, the CIIE can help with international exchanges in multiple sectors. 

The cultural sector is a "newcomer" but is also a good stage to show "China's embrace of different cultures and its capability to promote international art exchange." 

"CIIE is not only an event, it also acts as a major platform for different resources from around the world to come together," the expert added. 

"I hope I can make use of such an international window to allow the Chinese audience to experience a variety of ­international cultures," said Shi Yi, deputy director of Pace Gallery at the CIIE.