50 Days To Go: 9Th CIIE Enters Final Preparations As Global Participation Continues To Grow

(MENAFN- TimesNewswire ) Shanghai, China / Timesnewswire / September 14, 2026 – September 15, With 50 days to go before the opening of the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), preparations have entered the final stretch, with the expo continuing to expand in both its circle of global friends and growing international influence. The growing participation underscores the CIIE's continued appeal as a major platform for global companies seeking opportunities in the Chinese market.

CIIE Set to Be Bigger Than Ever, with Strong Exhibitor Growth in Signed Contracts

More than 2,000 companies from over 100 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in this year's CIIE. Among them are more than 280 Fortune Global 500 and industry-leading companies. A total of 169 companies and 27 institutions are set to mark their ninth consecutive appearance.

The Enterprise & Business Exhibition will cover a planned area of 360,000 square meters and feature six major exhibition areas: Medical Equipment & Healthcare Products, Trade in Services, Intelligent Industry & Information Technology, Consumer Goods, Food & Agricultural Products, and Automobiles & Smart Mobility. An Innovation Incubation Special Section will also be featured. The total exhibition area is expected to exceed 400,000 square meters.

Global Participation Continues to Expand

Regarding the Comprehensive Country Exhibition, over 50 countries, regions and international organizations have provided preliminary confirmations. Moldova, Romania and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will make their CIIE debuts this year.

Canada has also announced that it will serve as the Guest Country of Honor for the second time, returning to the Comprehensive Country Exhibition after an eight-year absence.

For the first time, the CIIE will introduce a dedicated Theme Day for the Guest Country of Honor, featuring a range of cultural, commercial and interactive activities at participating pavilions.

The China Pavilion will be themed“Forge New Ground for a Shared Bright Future” highlighting new opportunities and prospects arising from China's economic and social development.

More First-Time Exhibitors to Make Their CIIE Debut

A growing number of internationally recognized companies will make their CIIE debut this year, including French pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre, Singapore-based healthcare company Perennial Holdings, Dutch paints and coatings company AkzoNobel, U.S. fashion brand Ralph Lauren, Canadian outdoor brand Arc'teryx, steelmaker ArcelorMittal and Belgian chocolate company Godiva.

The CIIE will also upgrade its Asia-Africa Products Zone this year, providing greater support for companies from African countries that have diplomatic relations with China and helping them capitalize on opportunities arising from China's zero-tariff policy.

Hongqiao Forum to Unveil Two Flagship Reports

Preparations are also underway for the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which will be held alongside the CIIE under the theme“Stability, Cooperation and an Open World Economy.”

The forum will focus on key topics including upholding multilateralism, new drivers of technological innovation, green and sustainable globalization, and a trusted China. A series of parallel sessions and closed meetings will also be held.

This year's forum will release the World Openness Report 2026 and the latest World Openness Index. It will also publishing the Report on the Development of Capacity to Export to China for the first time. A range of supporting events will take place during the forum, including new product launches, business matchmaking, policy briefings and government-business exchanges.

The China International Import Expo is the world's first national-level exhibition dedicated to imports. Since its launch in 2018, the CIIE has been successfully held for eight consecutive editions, attracting exhibitors from more than 180 countries, regions and international organizations.

More than 3,400 representative products and services have made their global, Asian or Chinese debuts at the expo, while cumulative intended deals have exceeded US$580 billion.

Over the years, the CIIE has developed into a gateway facilitating the creation of a new pattern of development in China, a platform for high-standard opening up, and an international public good for the world to enjoy.

In 50 days, the 9th CIIE will convene on the banks of the Huangpu River. With a higher level of openness and more professional services, the expo will continue to provide global companies with a broad platform for connecting with the Chinese market.

Once again, China will open its doors wider to the world, creating opportunities for businesses from around the globe and sharing new opportunities for development with the international community.

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