CIIE Stories | CIIE stories reach United Nations

"If I were to summarize the China International Import Expo (CIIE) with key words, I would choose 'platform' and 'openness'," said Owen Messick, president of dōTERRA China, standing at the podium of the United Nations Palais des Nations, echoing the sentiments of many participants of the expo.

At a recent "Working Together to Implement the UN 2030 Agenda - CIIE in Action" Global Development Initiative Seminar held in Geneva, representatives of CIIE exhibitors shared their compelling journeys of connecting with the Chinese market. The stories of transitioning from success at the "Four-Leaf Clover" to sharing their achievements at the United Nations serve as a vibrant testament to how the CIIE promotes global trade development and supports Sustainable Development Goals.

The Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, the Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Chinese Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland were present to witness the vibrant energy the CIIE brings to global openness.

CIIE Footprint: From the Banks of the Huangpu River to the Shores of Lake Geneva

Messick, who set foot in the United Nations for the first time, was deeply moved. From the banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai to the shores of Lake Geneva, through the platform provided by the CIIE, dōTERRA has stepped onto a broader international stage. "The CIIE not only offers an excellent platform for companies to develop in China, but also grants us powerful international exposure," Messick said. 

In 2018, with a "let's give it a try" attitude, this American essential oil company participated in the inaugural CIIE and achieved a total of 380 million yuan in orders. Subsequently, as a "regular attendee", dōTERRA's booth size expanded from nine square meters to 300 square meters, with orders exceeding 1 billion yuan. They even extended the design inspiration from the CIIE booth to downtown Shanghai, opening a flagship store.

Sharing the stage with dōTERRA was the Peruvian brand Warmpaca. Its co-founder, Ysabel Zea, said, "participating in the CIIE for seven consecutive years has been an excellent opportunity for us to tell our brand story and showcase Peruvian alpaca culture." 

 

Facing over a hundred representatives from international organizations, permanent missions of various countries, and Chinese and foreign enterprises, she recounted a tale about a journey spanning 17,000 kilometers: from a small shop in Arequipa, Peru, to a booth at the CIIE, and finally into the hands of global consumers, the small alpaca toys are weaving their global dream. Orders originating from the CIIE have helped lift over 200 families in Peru out of poverty, driving a "quality revolution" that has elevated the craftsmanship of alpaca toys beyond Peruvian standards to meet global benchmarks.

Today, Warmpaca's booth at the expo has expanded from its initial nine square meters to 54 square meters. It has opened four physical stores in Shanghai and one in Xiamen, with customers located in provinces and cities such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Harbin, Sanya, and Urumqi. "Our case vividly demonstrates that through international cooperation, common development can be achieved. We are here to share this successful experience with the world," emphasized Zea.

CIIE Energy: A Vivid Practice of Global Development Initiative

The impact of the CIIE extends far beyond just businesses, as the data showcased at the seminar left a lasting impression. dōTERRA has created over 400,000 jobs globally; the cooperative network of Warmpaca benefits more than 300 Peruvian artisan families; and Zambian honey has found a global market pathway through the CIIE...

Representatives from the "Friends of the Global Development Initiative" group, including Pakistan, Cambodia, and Peru, unanimously praised the CIIE as a crucial platform for advancing the implementation of Global Development Initiative. They look forward to strengthening cooperation with China to jointly promote inclusive and sustainable economic globalization. 

Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of ITC, expressed special gratitude for the CIIE providing free exhibition space and matchmaking services for exhibitors from the least developed countries, leading to various collaborations. In November 2025, the center will support around 60 small and medium-sized enterprises from developing countries to participate in the 8th CIIE. 

Ambassador Eunice M.T. Luambia, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations, highly commended China's commitment and actions in promoting the sharing of development achievements. The CIIE helps promote the development of African countries, and for Zambia in particular, we have greatly benefited from it. Gaining access to the global market and participating in international trade is of significant importance for the least developed countries, she said.

Nurul Sofia, Minister-Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said, "We are achieving economic growth alongside China, and together we can build a prosperous world."

CIIE Commitment: The Door of China's Opening-Up will Only Be Wider

The stories of dōTERRA and Warmpaca are not isolated cases; they epitomize China's commitment to mutual benefits and win-win outcomes in economic globalization through open cooperation. "At the opening ceremony of the inaugural CIIE, I personally heard China's commitment to openness. Over the past seven years, this door has been opening wider and wider," said Messick.

As a Swiss exhibitor organizing institute, the Swiss Centers has not only been a consistent participant in all seven previous CIIE but has also gradually become a "navigator" for Swiss companies entering the Chinese market. The Swiss Centers has witnessed the increasing awareness and satisfaction of Swiss companies with the CIIE. To date, the center has organized over 100 Swiss companies to participate in the expo.

Xiao Zhen, CEO of the Swiss Centers, also attended the event to hear the strong message of openness conveyed by the CIIE. He stated that the expo is not just a trade platform but a beacon of China's open market and shared opportunities. "The CIIE is the strongest declaration and action of China's doors opening wider. We look forward to more global companies sharing the opportunities in China through this efficient hub." 

Luz Maria de la Mora, Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), stated that she attended the CIIE in 2019 and personally experienced how China is opening its doors to the world and how trade brings opportunities to people. "Many countries are interested in the Chinese market and are willing to cooperate with China because it is a true trade hub. China not only produces goods but also imports them, making it clear that this is a two-way path," said de la Mora.

Since its inception in 2018, the CIIE has been successfully held for seven sessions, attracting participation from over 180 countries, regions, and international organizations. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum was held concurrently with the CIIE, and its flagship report World Openness Report indicates that despite a global downward trend in the World Openness Index, China's ranking has been on the rise, steadily increasing, reflecting tangible progress in China's efforts to expand high-level opening-up.

One of the main authors of the report, Liu Shiguo, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that in the face of a challenging international environment, China's consecutive hosting of the CIIE demonstrates a firm commitment to expanding openness. "China's openness is oriented towards both developed and developing countries, covering both manufacturing and service industries, benefiting not only its own development but also global prosperity."

As Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, aptly put it, "international public goods represented by the CIIE have become an important platform for China to strengthen economic and trade exchanges with developing countries and promote development cooperation."

The CIIE stories, originating from the shores of Lake Geneva, are spreading to the world, narrating a chapter of the era characterized by open cooperation and shared opportunities.