On October 23, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to discuss the preparations for the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE). During the event, Assistant Minister of Commerce Tang Wenhong emphasized the expo’s role as a platform to promote high-level opening up, and highlighted several key areas of focus.

When asked about the preparations, Tang stated that the first priority is to continuously convey the message of openness and to actively create a platform for significant open measures and to showcase confidence in opening up. Through the CIIE, China aims to uphold its commitment to expanding foreign access, demonstrating its resolve to build an open world economy. He noted that a series of announced open measures are being gradually implemented, showcasing China’s determination to keep its doors to the world wide open.

Tang further highlighted the importance of releasing the dividends of openness, establishing a platform for the world to share in China’s new development and opportunities. The first six CIIEs showcased nearly 2,500 new products, technologies, and services for the first time, with a cumulative intended transaction value exceeding $420 billion. He mentioned that over 1,130 foreign companies and promotional agencies have conducted targeted matchmaking across various regions, with many exhibitors launching new stores, factories, and research centers in China. The expo will continue to leverage China’s massive market advantage to transform “exhibits into commodities” and “exhibitors into investors,” creating compelling “CIIE stories.”

Additionally, Tang voiced the ongoing efforts to foster a consensus on openness by building a communication platform that enhances global economic governance and encourages the establishment of an open world economy. Since its inception, the Hongqiao Forum has broadly invited prominent figures from various sectors to provide insights on building an open world economy and a community with a shared future for humanity. Since 2021, annual publications of the “World Openness Report” and the World Openness Index have been released, with the upcoming “World Openness Report 2024” expected to contribute valuable insights towards enhancing global cooperative efforts.