Corporate CEOs lauded the upcoming second China International Import Expo (CIIE) as an important event for China to proactively expand imports and open its market to the world.

The expo serves as an important platform for the world to share China’s development dividends, explore the Chinese market and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation， they said.

It is also an event through which China hopes to promote high-quality economic development and better satisfy the ever-growing needs of its people for a better life.

The second CIIE will take place from Nov. 5th to 10th in Shanghai. More than 3,000 companies from over 150 countries and regions, and more than 500,000 buyers and visitors from home and abroad, are expected at the expo.

The second expo is set to be larger in scale and better in quality than its inaugural version last year, and a richer variety of activities will be held.

China sends a strong signal of expanding opening up to the world through hosting the CIIE, said Bruno Chevot, Senior Vice President of Danone Early Life Nutrition Greater China, who expressed that the expo is expected to better satisfy people’s needs for a better life.

The CIIE provides special opportunities and a broad platform for Danone by allowing its innovative products to enter China at a faster pace and contributing to China’s consumption upgrading.

CEO of the Lego Group Niels B. Christiansen disclosed that the Danish toymaker opened another 70 retail stores in China over the last year after its products became a hit at the first CIIE.

“The Chinese market has strong potential for development. We hold high expectations toward the second CIIE and will be more meticulous in planning our booths and exhibits,” he said.

US software-industrial company Honeywell was one of the first foreign companies confirming to take part in the first CIIE. The company has tripled its exhibition area at the second CIIE.

William Yu, President of Honeywell China, disclosed that his company signed more than 10 agreements with Chinese firms, some of which have already been implemented.

At the second CIIE, Honeywell plans to display 30 innovative technologies. Many technologies and solutions will have their debut in China.

“The CIIE embodies a more open and inclusive China, and we look forward to opening new prospects of cooperation with Chinese companies at the expo,” said Yin Zheng, Executive Vice President of French energy management and automation firm Schneider Electric.

The company plans to increase R&D input in China by 50 percent within three years, cement cooperation with Chinese partners and make greater contributions to advance the building of an open economy.

“We hope the CIIE will become a greater success that creates new growth opportunities for the participators,” said Duan Xiaoying, President of General Electric (GE) China, adding that GE has witnessed, been part of and benefited from China’s opening up.

This year, the US company will establish an exhibition booth to display its efforts in fulfilling China’s market needs in such fields as clean energy, urbanization, and Internet Plus, as well as its strength in helping China achieve economic transformation.

Huang Chenhong, Dell's global Senior Vice President and President of Dell Greater China, said the CIIE demonstrates China’s determination to advance an open world economy.

Dell will continue with its “In China, For China” strategy, take an active part in digital transformation of the Chinese market and contribute to the country’s pursuit of high-quality economic development, Huang said.

James Zhou, Global Vice President of Louis Dreyfus Co, said the CIIE opens a platform for enterprises from around the world to display their visions and trends of industry development, and serves as an opportunity for them to deepen cooperation and explore new business opportunities with their partners.

“China is proactively expanding imports and improving business environment. Relevant measures will undoubtedly create a more favorable business environment and greater opportunities for all companies, he said.

Christine Zhou, President of Novo Nordisk China, believes that the CIIE is a major measure taken by China to open itself to the world. It reflects China’s consistent stand to support the multilateral trading system and promote trade facilitation and liberalization, and serves as an open platform for global companies to display their strength, communicate with and learn from each other, and conduct cooperation.