A Shared Development

The Third CIIE shows China's determination to continue opening up

- Ge Lijun

At the Food and Agricultural Products area of the Third China International Import Exhibition (CIIE), a thatched booth stands out. African honey, sold by Zambia Mpundu Wild Honey, is causing a sensation. This is the third year for the company to participate in this fair.

Established in Zambia in 2015, it is the only African company authorized to export honey to China. Thanks to the CIIE, the company concluded a contract worth 110 million yuan ($16.6 million) with a Chinese agent on November 6. “More orders mean increased production and increased income for our Zambian employees,” said Zhang Tongyang, Product Manager at Zambia Mpundu.

As a platform for shared opportunities, the CIIE, which took place on November 4-10 and was being held for the third consecutive year, sent a positive message about China’s strong commitment to opening its vast market even further to the international community.

This year’s CIIE took place at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the global economy in 2020. “It demonstrates China’s sincere desire to share its market opportunities with the world and contribute to global economic recovery. Through the CIIE and other platforms of opening up, we will continue to support companies from around the world in exploring business opportunities in China,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said via video link at the opening ceremony.

Two-way investment

For the past three years, the CIIE has helped exhibited products find buyers and exhibitors find investment opportunities.