CIIE Photo:CFP

As preparations for the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) enter the final stage this week, companies and representatives attending the expo expressed their enthusiasm and confidence that the event will offer a gateway for them to explore and expand their business in China.

The 6th CIIE, which will be the first complete return to in-person exhibitions since the outbreak of the COVID-19, has seen record attendance by the world's top companies.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said that 289 of the world's top 500 and industry-leading enterprises will be participating in the 6th CIIE, which is scheduled to be held in Shanghai from November 5-10.

The world's top 15 vehicle brands, the top 10 industrial electrical companies, the top 10 medical equipment companies, the three major mining giants, the four major grain merchants and the five major shipping companies have confirmed their participation, according to the event's organizers.

"We are full of expectations for the upcoming 6th CIIE as it is the first edition that will take place completely on-site after the pandemic. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Vale's first iron ore shipment to China from Brazil," Tracy Xie, president of Vale China, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"We will comprehensively showcase how this partnership will help lead our company and China toward a green sustainable future together," Xie said.

Vale said that it will continue to showcase its iron ore products and new iron ore solutions for steelmaking de-carbonization, and it is looking forward to making greater contributions to China's dual carbon goals.

Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation, which represents 29,000 Singaporean companies, told the Global Times that the federation is leading a delegation of 56 companies to the CIIE this year and 22 are the CIIE's "new friends."

Applied Total Control Treatment, one of the largest metal finishing companies in Singapore, will attend the CIIE for the first time.

Gerry Ong, board director of the company, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the company sees the CIIE as a gateway to the Chinese market, and it hopes to identify partners to jointly develop business in eastern and western China.

French multinational company Schneider Electric will showcase its successes with Chinese partners in pursuing digital and low-carbon transformation at the CIIE. 

"This is our sixth time attending the CIIE, which fully demonstrates our firm's commitment to deepening our presence in China," Executive Vice President, China and East Asia Operations Yin Zheng told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"We will continue to enhance innovation and closely collaborate with our partners to support China's pursuit of high-quality development and its dual carbon goals," Yin said.

Against the backdrop of slowing global trade and investment, the CIIE is set to further demonstrate the huge potential of the Chinese market and reassure global companies and suppliers of their business prospects based on win-win cooperation with China, experts said.

More than 3,400 exhibitors and 394,000 professional visitors have registered to attend the event, fully returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the MOFCOM.

The sixth CIIE will welcome guests from 154 countries, regions and international organizations, organizers said.