Foreign enterprises are showing renewed optimism and expressing stronger confidence in China’s resilient economy amid the 100-day countdown to the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
The expo, scheduled from Nov. 5 to 10, has already secured commitments from over 1,200 companies across 99 countries and regions, with strong eagerness to expand their footprint in the world’s second-largest economy. The roster includes 265 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, 10 more than last year.
This robust turnout reflects a broader trend of foreign companies upgrading their engagement with China, shifting from mere exhibitors to long-term investors and innovation partners.
As a first-time exhibitor at the expo, Dutch coatings and chemicals enterprise AkzoNobel said they look forward to not only introducing their world-leading technologies to China, but also driving innovation based on deep insights into the Chinese market and showcasing their latest local sci-tech achievements to the world.
“We have tremendous confidence in the remarkable resilience of China’s economy, and we deeply value the boundless potential and vibrant innovation ecosystem of this vast market,” said Yin Tao, president of AkzoNobel China.
The appeal of the Chinese market is backed by solid fundamentals. Despite global headwinds, China’s economy grew 4.7 percent in the first half of the year, with new growth drivers contributing over 40 percent to the expansion.
The International Monetary Fund recently raised its full-year growth forecast for China by 0.2 percentage points, making it one of the few major economies to receive an upward revision.
Foreign firms are increasingly integrating their global strategies with China’s high-quality development goals.
L’Oreal, a perennial participant at the CIIE, has leveraged the expo’s open platform to innovate with Chinese enterprises. One such collaborative product, the Lancome beauty device, has been launched in over 20 countries and regions.
“The CIIE turns China’s vast market into opportunities. For us, it’s been the best launchpad for new brands and star products,” said Vincent Boinay, president of L’Oreal North Asia Zone and CEO of L’Oreal China.
“L’Oreal’s stories with the CIIE further strengthen our long-term confidence in China, as reflected in continuous investment in China’s ecosystem,” Boinay added.
Institutional openness further bolsters investor confidence. An action plan released last month on optimizing foreign investment has pledged wider market access in sectors such as services, finance and pharmaceuticals, along with easier cross-border mergers and acquisitions, data flows and reinvestment by foreign firms.
Official data point to continued foreign investment momentum. Almost 4,800 foreign-funded enterprises made additional investments in China in the first half of 2026, while the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises rose 5.3 percent year on year, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Business surveys also reflect sustained confidence. A recent report by the U.S.-China Business Council found that 92 percent of surveyed companies were profitable in China in 2025. Meanwhile, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China’s business confidence survey this year revealed that 75 percent of respondents considered their China operations more productive than those elsewhere in the world.
The CIIE’s magnetic pull extends beyond multinational giants, serving as a vital springboard for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the Global South. With China expanding its zero-tariff treatment on imports from all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, the upcoming expo will feature an upgraded Asia-Africa product zone to help these nations better tap into the Chinese market.
“The CIIE advocates an outward-looking path of economic development and serves as a long-awaited ‘game changer’ for the Global South,” said Einar Tangen, Current Affairs Commentator and Senior Fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation, noting that the platform helps African SMEs move from the margins to the mainstream of global trade.
As the world grapples with rising protectionism, China’s unwavering commitment to opening up has resonated with countries around the world. “In an era of insufficient momentum for global economic recovery and rising trade protectionism, China’s steadfast commitment to openness is particularly precious,” said David Blair, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization.
“China is one of the few economies that still possess sustained demand for growth,” said Blair, adding that with its relatively complete manufacturing sectors, highly competitive industrial chains, and immense consumer potential, China offers unparalleled opportunities.