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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
From November 5th to 10th, Shanghai is hosting the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE)—an event that has long since transcended its role as a mere trading platform and has become a symbol of China's global openness and economic confidence. As a journalist who has covered China's large-scale initiatives on numerous occasions, it's clear to me that the 8th CIIE demonstrates not only China's growing ambitions but also its willingness to share its economic potential with the global community, transforming its own growth into a driver of global progress.
This year's exhibition broke all previous records: 4,108 foreign companies from 155 countries and international organizations participated, and the total exhibition space exceeded 430,000 square meters. These figures are impressive and demonstrate China's ambitious strategic vision. By comparison, eight years ago, at the first CIIE, the number of participants and exhibition space were significantly smaller, and even then it was clear that the country was creating a unique platform for interaction with the global economy. Today, this space has become a true laboratory for global cooperation.
In his opening speech at the CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the key principles that make China a leader in open globalization: equality, mutual benefit, and strengthening the legitimate interests of all global economic participants. He noted that China will actively promote the development of the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, and is ready to cooperate with all countries in initiatives on global governance in international trade and economic affairs. This is a crucial signal to the global community: in an era of growing protectionism, China is demonstrating its willingness to defend open markets and create a fair environment for international trade.
Li Qiang focused on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), recently adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. This strategic document defines China's socioeconomic trajectory for the coming years. From an observer's perspective, its significance extends far beyond the national economy: it provides international partners with a clear guideline for how China will develop a high-quality economy, advance high-level openness, and gradually expand institutional openness, including pilot programs to develop the service sector. Such initiatives demonstrate that China is not content with mere declarations but is consistently transforming its own growth into an instrument for global progress.
The eighth CIIE also featured a large-scale innovation showcase. Participants unveiled 461 new products, demonstrating their high technological ambition and China's willingness to integrate foreign innovation into its own economy. In my view, this is more than just a showcase for individual companies' achievements; it is a practical demonstration of the development of a platform for international cooperation. New technologies in healthcare, transportation, energy, and the digital economy create opportunities for shared growth and make globalization more tangible and practical.
What's particularly impressive is China's systemic approach to openness. The CIIE hosts not only exhibitions but also thematic forums, research sessions, and economic discussions. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, for example, presented reports on global openness and the latest Global Openness Index for 2025. These aren't just academic studies—they form the basis for developing specific cooperation strategies and allow countries to better understand how to integrate into global value chains. To me, this is a sign of the maturity of its approach: China isn't simply inviting foreign companies into its market; it's creating institutional conditions that make international cooperation predictable and beneficial for all.
The 8th CIIE also vividly demonstrates the "Eastern certainty" of globalization. China demonstrates that openness is not an abstract declaration, but a systemic process based on trust, institutional transparency, and long-term strategic goals. In a world often plagued by risks of fragmentation and localized protectionism, such approaches are crucial.
The eighth CIIE exemplifies how a major power can combine national strategic goals with global interests. It is clear evidence that China is transforming its achievements into momentum for the entire global community. Thanks to such initiatives, trust between countries will only strengthen, and joint economic development will become more stable and predictable.
In summary, the 8th CIIE is more than just an exhibition. It symbolizes how China, through openness and practical cooperation, is shaping a new stage of globalization, where equality, innovation, and mutual benefit are key principles. The country is ready to share its resources and transform its own economic growth into a common benefit. And this is the key achievement of the 8th CIIE: China is transforming its national successes into an instrument for universal progress, shaping globalization with an "Eastern focus."
Author: Anushervon Rasulov
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