四千一百多家境外企业参展，展览规模再创新高——第八届进博会来了

Core Points - The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, featuring participation from 155 countries and regions, with over 4,108 foreign enterprises exhibiting, marking a record scale with an exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square meters [1][2] Group 1: Event Characteristics - The CIIE will focus on four main characteristics: maintaining an open approach, showcasing innovative achievements, promoting practical cooperation, and addressing both China's needs and global expectations [2][3] - Six countries, including Thailand and the UAE, will serve as guest countries, and the China Pavilion will highlight the latest achievements in deepening reforms and high-level opening during the 14th Five-Year Plan [2] - The event will feature 461 new products, technologies, and services, aiming to make the Chinese market a testing ground for global innovations [2][4] Group 2: Participation and Engagement - The exhibition area has increased to over 367,000 square meters, with more than 600 new exhibitors added compared to last year, including 290 Fortune 500 companies [2][3] - A total of 43 trade delegations and over 700 sub-delegations will attend for procurement discussions, with professional audience registrations reaching 449,500 [2][3] Group 3: Focus on Developing Countries - There will be participation from 123 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.1%, and 163 enterprises from the least developed countries, up 23.5% [3] - The expo will expand the African product zone and support zero-tariff policies for products from African countries, with an 80% increase in African exhibitors [3] Group 4: Innovation and New Services - The expo will introduce new areas such as a "cross-border e-commerce preferred platform" and a "cross-border e-commerce service area" to enhance engagement with e-commerce platforms and new retail channels [5] - Digital services will be optimized, including a smart navigation system and AI digital service assistants providing multilingual real-time consultation [5] Group 5: Economic Impact - The CIIE is positioned as a key platform for China's high-level opening, aiming to inject certainty into the global economy amid profound changes in the global landscape [6][7] - China remains the world's second-largest import market, with imports of goods and services expected to exceed $15 trillion during the 14th Five-Year Plan, highlighting the potential of its vast market [7] - The expo aims to create a stable and transparent business environment, promoting trade and investment facilitation, and enhancing international cooperation [7]