The ninth edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s first national-level exhibition dedicated exclusively to imports, officially opened on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Shanghai, China, attracting thousands of international companies seeking to expand their access to the Chinese market.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the six-day event, which runs from November 5 to 10.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, this year’s expo has attracted 4,142 overseas exhibitors, with a total exhibition area exceeding 440,000 square metres. More than 300 Fortune Global 500 companies and leading industry players are expected to participate, marking a record for the event, while over 2,000 companies are making their debut.
United States exhibitors occupy more than 50,000 square metres of exhibition space, maintaining their position as the largest participants for the eighth consecutive year. Germany, the United Kingdom and France also rank among the leading participating countries.
The exhibition features six major sections covering intelligent industry and information technology, consumer goods, food and agricultural products, automobiles and smart mobility, medical devices and healthcare products, as well as trade in services. It also includes an innovation incubation section showcasing 633 technology and innovation projects from nearly 40 countries and regions, representing an increase of almost 20 per cent compared to the previous edition.
Since its launch in 2018, the CIIE has become a major international platform for businesses to introduce products, technologies and services to Chinese consumers and strengthen their presence in the world’s second-largest consumer market.
The previous eight editions attracted participants from more than 180 countries, regions and international organisations, with over 3,400 new products, technologies and services making their debuts. The cumulative value of intended deals recorded during the exhibitions has exceeded US$580 billion.
This year’s edition is expected to witness more than 480 products and exhibits making their global, Asian or Chinese debuts, the highest number in the expo’s history.
Among the major participants is Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which is attending for the ninth consecutive year. The company is showcasing several medicines, including Kyinsu, a once-weekly injection for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Mike Doustdar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novo Nordisk, said the expo had become an important part of the company’s operations in China, noting that several medicines previously introduced at the exhibition had subsequently entered the Chinese market.
Canadian athletic apparel company lululemon is also participating for the third consecutive year. China has become the company’s second-largest market globally.
Its regional president for China and the Asia-Pacific, San Yan Ng, said the expo provided opportunities beyond product promotion, allowing businesses to strengthen relationships with consumers, commercial partners, government stakeholders and other institutions.
Boosting International Trade and Market Access
The CIIE forms part of China’s broader efforts to expand market access, encourage international trade and facilitate the entry of quality products from different parts of the world.
According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, imports reached 16.7 trillion yuan (approximately US$2.48 trillion) during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 22.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and the fastest growth recorded since 2021.
Import growth exceeded export growth by 5.9 percentage points, while imports from more than 110 countries and regions grew faster than China’s exports to those markets.
Alongside the expo, the Hongqiao International Economic Forum on Thursday released the World Openness Report 2026 and unveiled its first Export-to-China Capacity Development Report.
The event is also providing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those from developing countries in the Global South, to access the Chinese market.
As part of this year’s arrangements, exhibition space for products from Asian and African countries has been upgraded, while free exhibition space allocated to least developed countries has increased by 17 per cent.
At a time when protectionist trade policies are gaining ground in some parts of the world, the CIIE continues to provide an international platform for businesses to explore new markets, strengthen commercial partnerships and promote cross-border trade.
The continued expansion of the expo underscores China’s commitment to market openness and international economic cooperation, while creating opportunities for businesses of different sizes across the world.