As the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens its doors in Shanghai, it once again underscores China’s unique role as a facilitator of global trade and investment. The CIIE serves as “an essential conduit for promoting global trade, investment, and economic cooperation,” according to Velli Nyirongo, a Malawian economist based in Britain.
In a written interview with Xinhua, Nyirongo praised the CIIE as a powerful platform through which developing economies gain access to China’s vast consumer market. This access, he noted, allows emerging economies to diversify their export markets, enhancing their integration within global supply chains. The CIIE, established as the world’s first national-level expo focused exclusively on imports, has attracted approximately 3,500 exhibitors from 129 countries this year. Participants include 297 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, showcasing over 400 new products, technologies, and services in a six-day showcase of innovation and commerce.
Nyirongo believes that the CIIE’s significance lies in its ability to remove trade barriers, allowing international businesses easier entry into China’s market. By reducing restrictions, the CIIE fosters inclusive economic growth and resilience, while supporting a more equitable global trade ecosystem. This initiative aligns with China’s commitment to “high-standard opening-up” and, Nyirongo suggests, provides a supportive environment for emerging economies to develop their industrial capacity and broaden their global presence.
For African nations specifically, Nyirongo noted that the CIIE offers a means to diversify beyond traditional export destinations, lessening dependence on regional markets and mitigating economic volatility. He explained that new market access and trade partnerships foster a more balanced global economy by enabling smaller economies to play a more active role on the world stage.
The impact of China’s open trade policies, particularly in relation to African economies, has been significant. Nyirongo pointed to mechanisms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which facilitate this engagement, including the provision of zero-tariff access for African goods. He cited President Xi Jinping’s recent announcement at the 2024 FOCAC Summit of a zero-tariff policy for all least-developed countries with diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African nations. By offering zero-tariff treatment across 100 percent of tariff lines, China is opening up its considerable domestic market to African goods—a development Nyirongo sees as pivotal for nations like Malawi.
For Malawi, these policies represent not only a secure export market but a chance to spur local investment and industrial growth. However, Nyirongo advised that Malawi must prioritise value-added exports to maximise this opportunity. Goods such as macadamia nuts, coffee, and tea, already in demand in China, could significantly bolster the economy if processed locally before export, creating jobs and enhancing export revenues. He highlighted that pursuing strategic partnerships with Chinese companies could lead to the establishment of production facilities in Malawi, attracting foreign investment, developing local expertise, and expanding export potential.
To capitalise on opportunities provided by the CIIE, Nyirongo suggested that Malawi should enhance its standards and certifications to build confidence among Chinese consumers and ensure competitiveness in the market. Additionally, he urged the Malawian government to sustain a productive trade relationship with China by continuing to diversify its export portfolio and improving trade logistics and infrastructure.
By engaging with Chinese investors through platforms like the CIIE, Nyirongo concluded, Malawi stands to attract substantial foreign direct investment, strengthen its export industries, and boost productivity. Such engagement, he argued, could ultimately enhance Malawi’s position within the global economy while supporting a sustainable, mutually beneficial trade relationship with China.
