Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Hei Hongwei) news: On the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, the grand event at the "Four-Leaf Clover" venue came to a close. The 6-day 8th China International Import Expo successfully concluded on November 10, 2025. The Xinjiang trading delegation organized over 270 enterprises to participate in the expo with their characteristic products. Leveraging the four major platforms of international procurement, investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges, and open cooperation, they achieved remarkable results in the fields of economic and trade agreements, industrial matchmaking, and cultural dissemination, with the transaction volume between buyers and exhibitors reaching 67.7 million U.S. dollars.

As the world's first national-level expo themed around imports, this year's CIIE featured an exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square meters and attracted over 4,100 participating enterprises, both setting new historical records.

Riding the wave of the CIIE, Xinjiang is embracing global opportunities with an all-round open stance, making the name card of "Xinjiang is a nice place" increasingly prominent on the international stage.

Photo taken on November 7, 2025 shows applause and exclamations of admiration rise one after another as a special performance by the Tacheng Song and Dance Troupe which draws large crowds of spectators who stop to watch at the Xinjiang booth of the 8th China International Import Expo in east China's Shanghai. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Hei Hongwei)

Improvement of both quantity and quality of economic and trade matchmaking

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves not only as a showcase for high-quality global goods but also as a crucial bridge connecting domestic and international markets.

The Xinjiang trading delegation precisely targeted the two-way needs of "bringing in" and "going global." Through targeted matchmaking models such as special promotion events and face-to-face negotiations, they facilitated high-quality cooperation agreements, injecting strong momentum into the export-oriented economy.

The "Invest in Xinjiang - Investment Promotion and Industrial Cooperation Matchmaking Event" held on November 6, 2025, witnessed a surge of enthusiasm, with 34 economic and trade cooperation projects being signed collectively, totaling 17.8 billion yuan (about 2.52 billion U.S. dollars). These projects covered key areas such as digital technology, international trade, agricultural product processing, and cross-border logistics. Twenty enterprises and institutions, including the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, the People's Government of Midong District, Urumqi, and Shanghai Hainajinfushui Digital Technology Co., Ltd., as well as Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) and Xinjiang Bagang International Trade Co., Ltd., signed agreements on site, highlighting moments of government-enterprise collaboration and mutual win-win between domestic and international partners.

"The promotion event gave us a clear view of the regional hub advantages of Kashi and Urumqi, as well as the enormous potential in industries such as agricultural products and new energy," said Meng Yang, the head of Shanghai Chuanshang Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. He added that the company would leverage its strengths in investment consulting to assist its member enterprises in expanding their businesses to Xinjiang.

The precise matchmaking between buyers and exhibitors also yielded fruitful results. Shi Ligang, the general manager of Xinjiang Youhao Import and Export Trading Co., Ltd., which has participated in the expo for two consecutive sessions, introduced that nearly 30 million U.S. dollars of the 100 million U.S. dollars procurement quota signed at the previous CIIE had been completed so far, and it was expected to reach the target ahead of schedule. "This year, we are still signing contracts within the 100 million U.S. dollars quota, continuously expanding our overseas direct procurement channels to bring more high-quality international goods into the Xinjiang market at affordable prices," he said.

What was even more noteworthy was that many enterprises leveraged the CIIE to transition from exhibitors to investors. Head of the Kazakhstan Enterprise Pavilion, revealed that they had already established cooperation with Xinjiang in the field of oil and fat products worth over 300 million yuan (about 42.39 million U.S. dollars), with trade volumes growing steadily year by year. He further stated that after the CIIE, they planned to visit Xinjiang for an inspection tour, with the intention of setting up branch warehouses and launching e-commerce services to deliver more high-quality Kazakh products to various parts of China.

Xinjiang enterprises deeply engaged in characteristic agriculture also achieved "two-way gains." Xinjiang Zhongmao Grain and Oil Co., Ltd., serving as both an exhibitor and a buyer, was introduced by its CFO, Li Lan, who said, "We brought products such as small-packaged safflower seed oil and flaxseed oil. We not only connected with large domestic supermarkets in Beijing, Shanghai, and other places to expand the domestic sales market but also negotiated with raw material suppliers from countries like Kazakhstan for the procurement of safflower seeds and flaxseeds, thereby establishing a complete chain from 'raw material import—intensive processing—external market sales'."

Cultural exhibition upholds tradition while embracing innovation

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) serves not only as a platform for economic and trade cooperation but also as a crucial stage for the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations. The Xinjiang trading delegation participated in the expo with a diverse array of cultural achievements, showcasing the charm of Silk Road culture on the international stage and demonstrating to the world the vitality of Xinjiang's cultural heritage and innovation through forms such as innovative intangible cultural heritage displays and distinctive exhibitions and sales.

At the "CIIE Night of Cultural Exchanges between China and Foreign Countries," Xinjiang elements captivated the entire audience through transboundary artistic expressions. Dancing on the Tianshan Mountains, jointly performed by the Tarim Song and Dance Troupe from Aksu Prefecture and American soprano Juliet Petrus, seamlessly blended the exquisite techniques of Western coloratura singing with the vigorous charm of Xinjiang ethnic dance. This artistic language that transcended national boundaries vividly portrayed the unity on the frontier and the vitality of the times, earning thunderous applause from the audience and serving as a vivid testament to mutual cultural appreciation.

The cultural exchange booth set up by the Xinjiang trading delegation not only showcased the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage skills but also built a bridge for cultural dialogue through innovative designs. The 216-square-meter featured booth continued the theme of "Xinjiang is a nice place" and, in conjunction with activities such as the "Gourmet Gathering" and the "Gathering of Excellent Products," organized 36 enterprises to showcase and sell their products collectively, deeply integrating regional culture with distinctive products.

The booth of Xinjiang Naanlaile Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd. was always bustling with visitors. Related cultural and creative products became online sensations, attracting merchants from countries and regions including Pakistan, Turkey, and the United States to initiate cooperation talks. "From Xinjiang to the whole country, and then leveraging the CIIE to reach out to the world, this platform has provided a window for Xinjiang cultural and creative products to express themselves internationally," said Wen Nana, the co-founder of the company, as she picked up a refrigerator magnet shaped like naan stuffed with meat to introduce that this was a new product specially designed for the CIIE, aiming to help more people understand Xinjiang's food culture through creativity.

The Atlas series of clothing from Nadila Custom Apparel Store on Altay Road in Shaybak District, Urumqi, also drew significant attention. Brand manager Li Peining combined Atlas elements with the "New Chinese Style," launching products such as dresses, qipaos, and scarves, infusing the millennium-old intangible cultural heritage with modern vitality. "We brought hundreds of exhibits, covering over a dozen types of clothing and accessories to cater to different consumer needs," Li Peining said, hoping to make Atlas more popular among young people through the CIIE.

At the booth of Xinjiang Jinrou Textile Technology Co., Ltd. showcasing Xinjiang cotton products, a British merchant couldn't stop praising the blanket adorned with snow lotus patterns, remarked that the discovery was truly amazing and expressed his anticipation for their subsequent cooperation to come to fruition.

Company chairman Zhen Caizhen introduced that during the expo, not only did local import-export enterprises in Shanghai, cross-border e-commerce platforms, and procurement departments of central state-owned enterprises reach out for distribution agreements, but merchants from countries such as Indonesia also expressed their cooperation intentions. "We aim to leverage the CIIE to take Xinjiang's cotton textile brands nationwide and global."

The jade from Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, the camel milk ice cream freshly made on-site by Ili Fengcao Pasture Dairy Co., Ltd., and performances like the Samovar Dance also became focal points of the exhibition area. Shanxi merchant Wu Zhendong praised the camel milk ice cream after tasting it, saying, "The flavor is rich and authentic. I've been to Xinjiang before, and its landscapes and culture left a lasting impression on me. This time, I've seen even more potential for cooperation and plan to make a special trip to Xinjiang for further exploration."

The innovative transformation of intangible cultural heritage not only preserves the essence of the culture but also aligns with modern aesthetics, demonstrating cultural confidence and exploring new paths for the marketization and internationalization of traditional craftsmanship. According to statistics, during the exhibition period, the total sales revenue of Xinjiang's cultural booth reached 1.17 million yuan (about 165,328.87 U.S. dollars), with 1,300 potential customers accumulated and tentative order amounts totaling 16.6 million yuan (about 2.35 million U.S. dollars), achieving dual success in cultural dissemination and market expansion.

Photo taken on November 9, 2025 shows Xinjiang booth at the 8th China International Import Expo attracted many merchants. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Hei Hongwei)

Enterprises seize opportunities for quality upgrades and deepen open cooperation

From first-time explorers to seasoned participants, Xinjiang enterprises have continuously refined their development strategies at the CIIE. By connecting with high-quality resources, learning advanced technologies, and deepening international cooperation, they have achieved quality upgrades in their own development, becoming a solid force in expanding Xinjiang's openness to the outside world.

Xinjiang Mijie Black Bee Co., Ltd., attending the expo for the second time, served as both an exhibitor and a buyer this year. Company leader Liu Huifang remarked with emotion, "The CIIE is a 'treasure trove' where enterprises of all sizes can directly connect with global top-tier resources." During this participation, they showcased their star products such as black bee honey and honey wine, and also engaged in negotiations with honey enterprises from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries, planning to establish factories there next year. Simultaneously, they intend to purchase Italian honey wine processing equipment to drive product upgrades.

International enterprises also actively extended olive branches to Xinjiang.The General Manager of Greater China for Germany's Mosca Group, a producer of packaging machinery and components, explained that he had come specifically to connect with Xinjiang enterprises. He mentioned that they had noticed Xinjiang's large-scale and high-quality agricultural sector and expressed their hope to provide high-quality packaging solutions for the local industry. He added that they planned to visit Xinjiang subsequently to expand their business and offer sustainable, high-performance packaging system services.

Liu Jie, the executive director of Wusu Jinshi Fruits and Vegetables Co., Ltd., was busy negotiating tomato product collaborations with international partners: "The CIIE has allowed us to directly sense the strong demand for high-quality organic food in both domestic and international markets. Several merchants have already expressed their cooperation intentions, which is a vivid demonstration of the spillover effects of the CIIE."

A Mozambican merchant, who was attending the expo for the first time, stated that Xinjiang represented a crucial pivot point for entering China's vast market. He added that he not only wanted to introduce Mozambican agricultural products such as soybean products to China but also planned to purchase Xinjiang textiles and honey products. His goal was to leverage Xinjiang's geographical advantages to expand two-way trade.

Chen Xianping, the Marketing deputy director of Xinjiang Zhongke Sea Buckthorn Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the CIIE provides a critical window for enterprises to link with the global market: "In the past, 80 percent of our business was export-oriented, with products sold to over 70 countries and regions. Now, leveraging this platform, we not only want to introduce sea buckthorn products to more domestic consumers but also hope to connect with international partners possessing advanced technologies and management experience to achieve industrial upgrading."

"The CIIE serves as a vital platform for Xinjiang to expand its opening-up to both domestic and international markets," said You Jialin, a member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy director of the Department of Commerce of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. He noted that through a series of activities such as industrial promotions and cultural exhibitions, the Xinjiang trading delegation has continuously expanded its global network of friends. Looking ahead, Xinjiang will continue to embrace the world with an open and inclusive attitude, promoting more distinctive products to international markets and attracting more domestic and foreign merchants to invest and start businesses in the region, achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes by sharing development opportunities.

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