As east China’s Shanghai is immersed in the joyful and boisterous atmosphere of the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), let’s take a sneak peek at the exhibition zones and feel the enthusiasm and expectations of the exhibitors.

A staff member labels products on the shelves at the booth of Charoen Pokphand Group at the second CIIE. (Photo by Wang Hui from People’s Daily)

At the equipment exhibition area, a table tennis robot is being tested at the booth of OMRON. The ping-pong robot was well received at the first CIIE, according to Sun Hui, public relations supervisor of OMRON (China), disclosing that they have brought an upgraded version of it to this year’s event.

The upgraded robot is able to not only perform highly difficult ping-pong movements, but also provide instruction for the users. After recording the motions of the users via sensors, the robot can compare them to those of the professionals and then give its instruction on the screen.

Sun hopes that by playing table tennis with the robot, people can realize that human beings are able to coexist with machines in harmony and grow together.

Roboy is a lovely robot displayed at the sci-tech life exhibition zone. It can laugh and crack jokes, and even blush and play cute. Besides, he can ride pedicabs, and has recently learned to sell ice cream.

Created by 3D printing technology, Roboy’s limbs are similar to those of a human body, with all the bones, muscles, and tendons.

At the lifestyles exhibition area of the second CIIE, a woman from Iran shows hand-made Persian carpets produced by her factory. (Photo by Wang Hui from People’s Daily)

Its chest is filled with various components and parts, which, according to a staff member of Roboy’s designer Infineon Technologies, are exposed particularly so that people can know the interior structure of the robot.

The staff member added that these components and parts in its chest were actually part of a neural network system composed of semiconductor devices which enables the robot to hear, see, and feel.

Taking part in the second CIIE is one of the most important activities of the company this year, noted Su Hua, president of Infineon Technologies in China, pointing out that the second CIIE boasts larger scale, higher quality, better services and more sci-tech innovation compared to the previous one. It offers them a broad platform for showcasing quality products and services, Su added.

Splendid food from various countries is seen at the food and agricultural products area, such as the Mexican wine containing cactus and aloe extracts, apple juice made from high-quality apple varieties in Poland, the Hunter Beef from Australia, and olive oil from Spain.

The booth of Thai multinational Charoen Pokphand Group is both concise and modern, with distinct Thai style. The conglomerate has brought to the expo nearly 400 kinds of products, including fruit, poultry meat, seafood, convenience food, edible bird’s nests, rice, and seasoning.

A staff member tests Roboy, a humanoid robot, at the booth of Infineon Technologies at the second CIIE. (Photo by Wang Hui from People’s Daily)

It’s hard to get a booth at the second CIIE, so the exhibits have to be the best of the bests, said Dr. Andrzej Juchniewicz, head of Polish Investment and Trade Agency’s (PAIH) foreign trade offices in China, explaining that the CIIE appeals so much to enterprises around the world.

PAIH has selected more than 30 most representative companies in Poland for the second CIIE, covering such areas as food and cosmetics.

At the lifestyles exhibition area, a booth with a good number of beautiful carpets is especially eye-catching.

The first CIIE was very successful, said a woman arranging various carpets at the booth. She told People’s Daily that many friends of hers have seen significant increase in their sales after participating in the event last year, which was why she had eagerly signed up for the second CIIE.

While sharing her experience with her Chinese clients, the woman, manager of an Iranian factory producing hand-made Persian carpets, said she hopes to meet more dealers via the CIIE and sell her carpets to more places in China.

As one of the 15 guest countries of honors at the second CIIE, Malaysia is optimistic about the role of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in promoting international economic cooperation, which can been seen through the design of the Malaysian pavilion, said See Chee Kong, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Malaysia in China.

When the night falls, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), venue of the second CIIE, is still ablaze with lights, telling the world that it is ready for the event.