Source: CIIE    Published: 2023-10-22

When asked about what it was like to participate in the China International Import Expo for the first time, "ignorant" was the answer given by Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.

Five years ago, he participated in the design of the China Pavilion during the inaugural CIIE as a think tank expert. In order to fully demonstrate China’s new development concept and achievements, Wang and his colleagues devoted themselves to heated discussions around the clock. The ideas of "innovation, coordination, green, openness and sharing" were thus integrated into the details of the China Pavilion.

Over the past five years, Wang has grown together with the CIIE. In his opinion, the world has witnessed China's determination and actions to adhere to multilateralism, share development dividends, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind through the CIIE. The world has also witnessed the development process of Chinese-style modernization and new forms of human civilization, and gained a better understanding of the implied value. 

"It takes time to understand the potential of the CIIE. Time is on our side, and it will show that the CIIE is a real standout," Wang said.

CIIE promotes development of multipolar world

Reporter: The CIIE will come to its sixth edition this November. What are the signals behind this exhibition to be held for the sixth year in a row?

Wang: It is not easy to do the same thing every year while producing better results. And such difficulty demonstrates the sincerity of China's commitments to the world, the charm of the Chinese consumer market, and the country's figure as a civilized country. 

China has proven with practical actions that it is willing to work with every country that wishes to cooperate with China to create a bright future of openness, achieve prosperity and embark on a new path of civilization and development with joint efforts.

Reporter: The spillover effects of the past five editions of the CIIE, covering the aspects of the economy, society and institutional arrangements, have continued to increase over time. In your opinion, what is the most important spillover effect of the CIIE?

Wang: The CIIE is the world's first and only national-level expo themed on import. It is a major initiative in the history of international trade development. Therefore, its existence itself is a positive spillover effect, exemplifying vividly China's promotion of globalization.

At the same time, thousands of scholars, business people, and influencers have been discussing the topic of "import" because of the CIIE. It has made "import" truly a frequently discussed topic among global personnel exchanges, information exchanges, and transaction activities. This spillover effect is reflected in daily life, profoundly and powerfully promoting the development of a multi-polar world.

CIIE focuses on advancing high-level opening-up

Reporter: The concept of "warranted openness" was raised for the first time in the World Openness Report 2022 released by the fifth Hongqiao International Economic Forum. What is the connotation of this concept? What does opening-up mean to China and to the world?

Wang: Putting forward "warranted openness" reminds us that openness is a means with which to realize the ultimate goal of addressing people's yearning for a better life. The key is to work hard on "high quality".

China's opening-up is a step-by-step, high-quality, all-round, and progressive process. We must also be deeply aware of the impact of the current world's major changes, which were unprecedented in a century and complicated by the pandemic. Therefore, we must adhere to a high level of opening-up, which will benefit both the Chinese people and the rest of the world. Opening-up should serve as an important force to drive domestic reform and development.

Reporter: 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. What role has the CIIE played to help carry out this initiative and serve the development of the countries and regions participating in it?

Wang: Trade between China and the countries participating in the BRI has continued to expand over the past few years. But the trade surplus between China and these countries has narrowed. This contraction has reflected China's efforts to increase imports, actively share the dividends of the Chinese market, and promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

For the countries included in the BRI, the CIIE is not only a platform to display development results and products, but also a platform to accurately match these results with the needs of the Chinese market. 

Through the CIIE, the win-win cooperation between countries included in the BRI has become more substantial. Policies are more clearly communicated, and infrastructure facilities are better connected. Trade and capital flow are smoother. The ties between China and the countries and regions included in the initiative are strengthened in general. 

CIIE keeps moving towards mutual benefit and win-win development

Reporter: How can China better communicate with the rest of the world via the CIIE?

Wang: The CIIE must tell China's story well, and it must also illustrate China's viewpoints well.

At present, the CIIE has established multiple platforms such as the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. The key is to allow more scholars and media, especially the overseas opinion leaders, to widely participate in observing and reporting on the details of the CIIE. With this, the world can truly feel the sincerity of China to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results with other countries.

Reporter: To what extent will the CIIE help promote Chinese-style modernization?

Wang: The CIIE has allowed the world to better understand China. It has also made the Chinese people more confident by looking at the world from different perspectives.

The longer the CIIE lasts, the deeper the cooperation between China and the world will be. The idea of mutual benefit and win-win will also be more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. We must walk this "Long March" in a down-to-earth manner.