On November 5, the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) commenced, drawing a record-breaking participation of 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, alongside 4,108 overseas exhibitors.
As a premier global platform for cutting-edge technologies, product debuts, and business collaborations, the CIIE has facilitated over $500 billion in cumulative intended transactions across its first seven editions, attracting 23,000 overseas exhibitors. This year’s event saw further growth: 123 Belt and Road partner countries participated (up 23.1% YoY), all top 10 global automotive brands by value exhibited, and the innovation incubator zone featured 500+ projects—a sevenfold increase since its 2021 debut.
Notably, Tesla returned as an exhibitor, while paint giant Sherwin-Williams made its CIIE debut. Over 500 Fortune 500 and industry-leading firms headlined the exhibition.
Major deals were swiftly announced: agribusiness Cargill anticipates contracts exceeding $3 billion; Syngenta Group projects over $1.1 billion in agreements; and ZPMC signed $390 million in deals with 11 suppliers. These milestones underscore China’s position as the world’s second-largest consumer and import market. Executives emphasized China’s pivotal role in global trade restructuring and its enduring growth potential.
**CIIE’s Deal-Making Power** As a perennial participant, Cargill credits the expo for tangible growth, having secured $30+ billion in agreements since 2018. This year, it plans strategic partnerships in grains, beef, animal nutrition, and iron ore. The company has expanded its CIIE showcase from under 15 products to 100+ innovations. Liu Chang, Cargill China VP, noted the event’s dual role as a stage for innovation and a bridge for local market collaboration.
Cargill, operating in China since the 1970s with 7,000 employees and 50+ sites, is also scaling investments. A $500 million Nantong oil facility relocation began in September 2025, while its Yangjiang FR3™ natural ester plant’s $8+ million Phase II launched in July 2025. Liu highlighted China’s demand for diverse, sustainable foods as a driver for innovation.
**Industry Spotlight** KraussMaffei China GM Ren Xinting shared how a 2020 CIIE deal with a Guangdong bathroom brand unlocked regional opportunities, exemplifying the expo’s "spillover effect." This year, the firm spotlighted eVTOL rotor molding and AI robotics solutions.
German specialty chemicals giant Evonik debuted 11 products (four globally) on opening day, underscoring its localization strategy. President Xia Fuliang noted China’s deepening openness and CIIE’s role in cross-industry innovation.
**China’s Market Certainty** Amid global trade volatility, China’s 5.2% YTD GDP growth leads major economies. The *World Openness Report 2025* ranks China 38th for openness, up 29.6% since 1990. Executives cited China’s optimized business climate, with policies like the "20 Measures for Stabilizing FDI" enhancing predictability.
Evonik’s Xia emphasized China’s 42% share in global chemical production and its €1.4+ billion 2024 China sales (10% of global revenue), targeting APAC-Europe-Americas revenue parity by 2030.
Lesaffre Greater China CEO Yang Hong noted rising health-food demand driven by aging demographics and income growth, reaffirming China as a strategic market. The company has already committed to CIIE 2026, signaling long-term confidence.