The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has successfully concluded. The expo recorded strong transaction activity, with intended deals totaling USD 83.49 billion on an annualized basis, representing a 4.4% increase compared with the previous edition and marking a new historical high. Total attendance reached 922,000 visits, up 8.2% year on year, also setting a record.

Meanwhile, preparations for the 9th CIIE are already fully underway, with more than 80,000 square meters of exhibition space signed for the enterprise exhibition area.

According to Wu Zhengping, Deputy Director-General of the China International Import Expo Bureau, 67 countries, regions, and international organizations participated in the National Exhibition at this year’s CIIE, covering an exhibition area of 30,000 square meters. More than 100 events were held during the expo period.

Top global companies gathered at the expo, with nearly 100 multinational corporations and major industry associations represented by their senior leadership at the venue. Among them, 10 leading companies were headed by their chairpersons or CEOs, bringing their headquarters-level decision-makers to the CIIE. Some companies even held executive meetings on-site, vividly demonstrating global enterprises’ continued confidence in, increased investment in, and long-term commitment to the Chinese market.

The 8th Hongqiao International Economic Forum recorded a total registered participation exceeding 10,000 for the first time, with more than 400 high-level figures from government, business, and academia taking part in discussions, including eight Nobel Prize laureates and other leading scholars.

A total of 43 trading delegations and more than 700 sub-delegations were formed for this year’s expo. The number of registered professional visitors exceeded 460,000, up 7% year on year. In addition, approximately 50,000 members of the public were organized to visit the expo on-site for the first time, allowing them to experience “CIIE products” and the unique appeal of the expo at close range.

At the closing press briefing, Zhu Min, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and Director of the City Service and Support Leading Group Office, stated that during the expo, the Shanghai trading delegation organized over 18,000 enterprises and 124,000 buyers to participate. On an annualized basis, the Shanghai delegation achieved intended transactions totaling USD 10.62 billion, representing a 5.14% year-on-year increase, and ranking first among all local trading delegations for the eighth consecutive year. Notably, intended transactions with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 34% year on year.