The mascot of CIIE is seen in Shanghai. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]
The contracted exhibition area of the sixth China International Import Expo has exceeded 360,000 square meters, according to a news conference held on July 26 to mark the 100-day countdown to this year's expo, which is scheduled to be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10.
The sixth CIIE will continue to hold the Country Exhibition, Business Exhibition, Hongqiao International Economic Forum, and professional supporting activities and cultural exchange events.
The Country Exhibition will resume offline events after being held online twice in a row, and a guest country of honor will be invited.
Many countries, as well as international organizations such as the WTO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the ITC have confirmed their participation.
The exhibition area of the China pavilion will be expanded from the previous 1,500 sq m to 2,500 sq m, the largest ever. A special exhibition celebrating the 10th anniversary of the country's free trade zone construction will also be set up.
The number of Fortune 500 and industrial leading companies signing up for the Business Exhibition has surpassed that of last year's event. Fifteen global automakers, 10 renowned medical equipment enterprises, 10 large industrial electric appliance enterprises, three mining giants, and the "Big Four" accounting firms have all confirmed that they will be attending this year's CIIE.
Centered around high-quality development, environmental-friendliness and innovation, the Business Exhibition will continue to optimize the special exhibition zones for energy, low-carbon and environmental-protection technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation incubation.
The exhibition will also give a focus to themes such as health and consumption and will see the upgrading of the elderly care special zone and the introduction of new categories of maternal and child care products.