Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) via video link on November 4, calling on all countries to work together toward a brighter future of openness and prosperity. 

"We should commit ourselves to openness to meet development challenges, foster synergy for cooperation, build the momentum of innovation, and deliver benefits to all," Xi said, further noting that the world stands in front of accelerated changes unseen in a century as well as slow economic recovery. 

"China is ready to work with all countries to practice true multilateralism, create more consensus for openness, overcome the difficulties and challenges facing global economic growth, and guarantee our commitment to openness will generate broader prospects for global development," Xi said. 

The import expo, inaugurated in 2018 and held annually in Shanghai, intends to expand China's opening up and use the country's vast market to produce enormous global opportunities. 

At the CIIE, executives of foreign companies expressed that they are confident in the Chinese market and continued opening up will help them further grow their businesses.  

Jérôme Vanachter, President of Lesaffre China, part of a France-based key global player in fermentation for some 170 years, referred to Xi's speech as "inspiring." As a multinational company, Lesaffre has sensed the opportunities in the Chinese market and is confident about increasing its investment in China.  

Fang Ying, President of Ericsson China, a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, said that as an important and influential platform for China to advance a new round of high-level opening up and promote international exchanges and cooperation, the CIIE has provided significant opportunities for foreign companies hoping to succeed in the Chinese market. 

William Yu, President of Honeywell China, an American technology company in China creating building technologies and other technological solutions, said: "Honeywell was one of the first global companies to join the first CIIE, and this is the fifth consecutive year for Honeywell to join the event. The CIIE has become a one-stop platform for Honeywell to highlight its new technologies and solutions, debut its flagship innovations, expand its investment in China, and strengthen its partnerships. At the past four CIIEs, Honeywell displayed some 100 innovative technologies, products, and digital ready-now solutions. The CIIEs have witnessed our long-term partnership with Chinese associates." 

Maximilian Foerst, President and CEO of ZEISS Greater China, an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics, said on November 5: "I watched the speech yesterday and I think this is very important for us moving forward. For me, there are a couple of topics that came up which are extremely important for our development here in China. First, I think, is the continuation of China's opening up. This is very important. As a technology company, we live off the exchange of ideas. So I think the continued opening up is very important for us to be able to grow our business." 

Xiao Song, President and CEO of Siemens China, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, said: "President Xi's speech delivered China's commitment to sharing, co-creation and win-win, and also demonstrated China's confidence in creating new opportunities for the world through its own development. Through the CIIE, a platform of opening up, China and the world share a market, co-create industrial prosperity, and achieve a win-win for the future of an open world economy. With this, we have high expectations of the economic outlook for both China and the world." 

Qiu Zhongqiang, Vice President of Procter & Gamble (P&G), an American multinational consumer goods corporation, said President Xi reiterated China's commitment to opening up in his speech. In the future, P&G will seize the opportunities the Chinese market generates and continue to use its products and brand power to create value for Chinese society and consumers alike. 

Hideki Ozawa, President and CEO of Canon China said, President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the CIIE has demonstrated China's determination to adhere to a high level of opening up and its resolution to deepen exchanges and cooperation in the international community. The stability and resilience of the Chinese market have provided a high-quality business environment for our development.  

"The CIIE has become an excellent platform for multi-level exchanges and cooperation, and has been a shot in the arm for foreign companies including Canon," he said. "In the coming years, we will continue to expand investment in China and contribute to China's high-quality development."  

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