Second CIIE wins applause from international community

Antoine Baule(left), CEO of Lesaffre, and Jean-Philippe Poulin (right), president of Lesaffre Greater China, pose for a photo at CIIE in Shanghai on Nov 5, 2019. [Photo by Yang Yang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The second China International Import Expo won applause from the international community as China's high-level opening-up of its market to the world economy is in line with the historical trend and beneficial to all humankind.

Globalization is an irreversible trend and countries should uphold the concept of putting humanity first and should not let their own interest override that of mankind, President Xi said at the opening ceremony of the second CIIE on Tuesday in Shanghai.

As a representative of the US company, GE, the largest infrastructure company with core business in power, aviation, education, healthcare and oil gas, agrees with globalization and free trade.

"We are an American company. More importantly we are a global company. Today, 70 percent of our orders are actually coming from outside the United States. Globalization is the lifeline of our company," said Rachel Duan, president and CEO of GE Global.

Emma Walmsley, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, was amazed by China's economic and social development in the past 70 years and spoke highly of the role Chinese government has played in this process.

The average life expectancy has increased from 35 to 77 years in the past seven decades not only because of the resilient Chinese economy but also because of the long-term strategic policies in healthcare industry, Walmsley said.

Government has played an essential role as the Healthy China 2030 initiative provides international companies policy predictability and confidence for long-term development in Chinese market and the demand for further, deeper and wider opening-up is pressing, according to Walmsley.

Jin Liqun, president and chairman of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, said China not only provides international businesses policy predictability but also safe capital environment, transparency and credit worthiness for high-quality opening-up.

He shared position changes in his career development from a borrower to a lender, indicating a transition from the inflow of capital to China to the country's investment to client countries and China's efforts to hold CIIE for common prosperity.

Many international businesses have already benefited from the facilitated international businesses and improved business environment of the country as indicated by a recent World Bank report that the ease of doing business in China lifted to 31 this year from 46 last year, up 15 positions.

Antoine Baule, CEO of Lesaffre, a leading French company in yeast making, recalled his first business trip to China back in 1986 at Peace Hotel and the contrast with Shanghai today with trains and high-tech facilities.

"I've seen China's progress as a fascinating journey in 33 years. It is a miracle to see how China has managed its progress in infrastructure, organization and many things are absolutely remarkable," Baule said.

Baule praised China's intellectual property protection law which can help to protect know-how and patented products of the company and gives the company confidence in expanding investments in Chinese market.

Lesaffre doubled exhibition area at this year's CIIE than the inaugural one to not only showcase latest products but also hold a baking competition to select the best bakers for baking world cup in January 2020 in France.

CIIE has provided a wonderful platform to present who they are and facilitate them to buy utensils internally as well. The company is enlarging investments and reinvestments each year in the Chinese market, said Jean-Philippe Poulin, president of Lesaffre Greater China.

The second China International Import Expo will last till Nov 10 in Shanghai and has attracted at least 250 companies in Fortune 500 and top tier.