On the eve of the official opening of the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE 2026), the Roundtable for MNC Exhibitors, hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), was held. Representatives from MOFCOM, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Finance, the National Health Commission (NHC), and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), among other authorities, attended the event, alongside leaders from more than 100 multinational corporations and from foreign business chambers.
Ling Ji, Vice Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative, stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will advance the integrated, intelligent and green transformation of its industries. Artificial intelligence, as it empowers all sectors of the economy, will unlock massive new market opportunities and create ample room for multinationals to pursue innovation in China. China will safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-invested enterprises, including equal access to government procurement, keep refining its export control regime, and strive to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. He encouraged multinational companies to stay committed to partnering with China, leverage open platforms such as the CIIE, and meet the diverse demands of the Chinese market with high-quality offerings.
During the event, ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS spoke with several senior executives of multinational corporations, who all expressed optimism about growth opportunities in China.
Dow Greater China President Crystal Huang said Dow is exhibiting at CIIE for the ninth consecutive year, bringing more than 100 technological innovations, over a dozen of which are making their global or Asian debut. The CIIE serves as a vital platform for us. It enables us to identify new partners, expand our business reach, and translate our commercial achievements into tangible local implementation. Amid rapid changes in the Chinese market, Dow aims to win by sharpening its speed of response, innovation, and localization.
Zhao Bingdi, President of Panasonic Corporation of China, said Panasonic entered China in 1978 and has operated in the country for 48 years, staying true to its founder’s commitment. The company now has 58 legal entities and 43,000 employees in China. Last year’s sales revenue reached nearly 100 billion yuan, accounting for 24% of the group’s global revenue, making China its largest overseas market. Looking ahead, Panasonic will actively deepen its presence in China in line with the country’s shift from quantity to quality and its green development requirements.
Rick Kozloski, President of Alcon China, pointed out that China has the world’s largest group of myopia patients and the biggest market for refractive laser vision correction, alongside huge demand for surgical eye treatments. He added that China is no longer only a place importing technology, but a place generating innovation, particularly in eye care. Alcon is actively sharing China’s homegrown innovations with its global R&D teams and collaborating closely with incubators and medical professionals.
Observing the atmosphere at the roundtable up close, the vast majority of multinational enterprises maintain strong enthusiasm for the Chinese market. As the world’s second-largest economy and the largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, China continues to attract multinational companies to deepen their local footprint. Enterprises are embracing the CIIE, the core platform connecting global resources with the Chinese market, whose scale effect and spillover benefits keep expanding.