China’s Import Expo Faces Lukewarm International Reception

Scrutiny of the China International Import Expo suggests that it won’t be having the intended effect, which is to boost China’s image as a major importer.
China’s Import Expo Faces Lukewarm International Reception
A security guard stands in front of the entrance of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the main venue to hold the upcoming first China International Import Expo (CIIE), is seen in Shanghai on October 31, 2018. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images
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The Chinese state-run media has been busy promoting the inaugural China International Import Expo, involving 150 countries and featuring a speech by leader Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony.

Closer scrutiny, however, suggests that the gathering won’t have the intended effect of boosting China’s image as a major importer, as senior officials from the United States and other G7 nations, as well as South Korea and Australia, are expected to skip the event.

Nicole Hao
Nicole Hao
Author
Nicole Hao is a Washington-based reporter focused on China-related topics. Before joining the Epoch Media Group in July 2009, she worked as a global product manager for a railway business in Paris, France.
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