SHANGHAI, November 9, 2025 (Xinhua) — China’s annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) continues to serve as a major gateway for the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), opening access to global markets, new technologies, and sustainable income opportunities.
At the eighth edition of the event, held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, entrepreneurs from across Asia and Africa are showcasing local innovations — from organic honey and handmade carpets to high-quality meat products — as part of China’s broader initiative to promote inclusive global trade.
Among them is Thida Win, a Myanmar businesswoman and CEO of Plan Bee Social Enterprise, who offers visitors spoons of fruit-scented honey while displaying eco-friendly products like beeswax balms and candles.
“The CIIE is a global marketplace in the spotlight,” Win said. “We’re looking forward to finding major distributors and unlocking the potential of the Chinese market.”
Although Plan Bee has already exported small consignments of honey to China’s border regions, Win said this is her second CIIE appearance, giving her company a chance to better understand consumer trends and build stronger business partnerships.
Her enterprise, which trains over 2,000 rural beekeepers and provides them with modern equipment, is an example of how small social businesses are leveraging China’s open trade platforms to uplift communities.
“We hope to increase our production capacity and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” she added.
The LDC exhibition area at this year’s CIIE features over 160 enterprises from 37 least developed countries, marking a 23.5 percent increase from last year. Many exhibitors say the expo has helped them gain global visibility and long-term customers.
For Afghan businessman Hamed Rauf, representing Qadir Rauf Co. Ltd., the CIIE has been an annual fixture since 2018. His company’s handmade Afghan carpets have attracted dozens of Chinese buyers each year.
“I appreciate that many Chinese people value Afghan culture,” said Rauf. “We’ve partnered with 15 to 20 new dealers at every expo and have now established an operations center in Kunming, with plans to expand into Yiwu.”
The impact of CIIE extends beyond the exhibition halls. In 2024, China began importing mutton from Africa after striking its first deal with Sino-Malagasy Animal Husbandry (SMAH), a Chinese firm based in Madagascar. SMAH made its debut at the seventh CIIE and soon gained recognition among Chinese distributors.
By 2025, Madagascan mutton was already available on the shelves of Hema Fresh, a popular Chinese retail chain. At this year’s expo, SMAH staff promoted their low-fat meat products through livestream sessions, connecting directly with consumers.
“We’ve built a full livestock chain — breeding, slaughter, and processing,” said Zhang Ting, SMAH’s executive director general. “Since last year, we’ve exported over 400 tonnes of mutton to China.”
More than 500 local herding households now supply SMAH, benefiting from higher incomes and better farming practices.
Etsara, a 43-year-old herder, said his partnership with the company has increased his annual earnings by 2,000 yuan (about USD 282) — a 42 percent rise above the local average income.
“China has changed my life,” he said gratefully. The CIIE’s impact is reinforced by China’s zero-tariff policy on 100 percent of tariff lines for products from least developed and African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing. This has allowed small exporters to access China’s vast market more competitively.
Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), commended China’s leadership in promoting fair trade and industrial cooperation.
“China is the most important partner for investment and trade with developing countries,” Müller said. “We appreciate its zero-tariff access for LDCs and its commitment to multilateralism.”
He added that South-South cooperation with China enhances technology transfer, industrial growth, and food security — contributing to global efforts to end hunger.
“The cooperation between China and the Global South provides developing nations with greater market opportunities and the tools for sustainable growth,” Müller emphasized.
Now in its eighth year, the China International Import Expo has become a cornerstone of inclusive globalization, enabling developing nations to transform local industries and reach new customers worldwide.
As Myanmar’s Thida Win put it, “The CIIE is not just about trade — it’s about shared growth and the promise of a better future.”
