Chongqing - As the world wrestles with rising protectionism, shrinking trade corridors, and technological nationalism, China’s mega market is emerging as both an economic anchor and an engine of shared innovation for shared technological progress.
The recently concluded Eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai offered a striking demonstration of this shift. More than a trade event, it became a symbol of how China envisions globalization in the twenty-first century, not as a contest of dominance, but as a platform for cooperation, access, and mutual progress.
With participation from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, more than 4,100 overseas enterprises, and an exhibition space exceeding 430,000 square meters, the Expo reinforced China’s standing as the world’s second-largest importer for sixteen consecutive years. A record 83.49 billion U.S. dollars in intended deals, a 4.4% increase from last year, brought cumulative agreements from all eight editions to over 583 billion U.S. dollars, proving that China’s market remains the beating heart of global trade.
The scale of China’s import drive provides context for this global pull. China’s projected imports of goods and services are expected to exceed 15 trillion U.S. dollars during 2021-2025. The country’s per capita GDP has crossed 13,000 U.S. dollars, and its middle class, now more than 450 million strong, is fueling steady demand for quality goods, technology, and services.
Domestic consumption has become a cornerstone of economic resilience, with household spending contributing more than 60% to GDP growth in 2025. These structural trends have transformed the Chinese economy into a sophisticated consumer and innovation hub. Foreign firms are embedding within their ecosystem, localizing production, adapting products, and collaborating on technology that increasingly defines the global market.
This year’s CIIE underlined that transformation, and it has opened doors for innovation and become a gateway for global technological collaboration. Over 40% of all transactions were linked to high-tech sectors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean energy, and digital services. The event showcased 461 new products and technologies, including 201 global premieres and 65 Asian debuts.
The underlying logic is that China’s economic policy now treats imports of advanced technology not as dependence, but as leverage for shared development. Beijing is integrating global innovation into its domestic dual circulation framework, where internal demand fuels external cooperation.
This mechanism allows technology acquired in China to be adapted, localized, and eventually diffused across the Global South through Belt and Road partnerships, industrial parks, and training programs. UNCTAD estimates that participation in CIIE-linked networks has improved export competitiveness in over 50 developing countries by 15–20% since 2018. African agritech companies have adopted Chinese IoT systems to monitor soil and yield data, while Latin American renewable energy firms are deploying cost-effective solar inverters developed through Chinese partnerships.
Premier Li Qiang’s address at the Expo effectively captured this vision. He described CIIE as “a bridge for cooperation and a platform for shared opportunities,” reiterating that China’s openness is a counterweight to unilateralism and economic fragmentation.
The concurrent Hongqiao International Economic Forum further deepened this narrative. Its 33 sub-forums and over 80 side events examined topics like the “Digital Silk Road 2.0” and “Inclusive AI Governance,” attracting policymakers, business leaders, and experts from over 80 countries. Discussions focused on how emerging technologies, AI, big data, quantum computing, and clean energy can be managed equitably, ensuring that innovation serves social progress rather than exacerbating inequality.
What makes China’s approach distinctive is the integration of policy, market, and ethics into one coherent framework. The government’s emphasis on green development and fair access guides both domestic enterprises and international partnerships. This year’s Service Trade Exhibition, a vital part of CIIE, highlighted how digital trade can promote inclusion. Alibaba’s cross-border e-commerce platforms, for example, are helping small producers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America reach global consumers using transparent digital systems. These initiatives embody the idea that economic modernization should empower rather than marginalize.
China’s commitment to inclusive growth also represents an important shift in global economic thinking. The world’s largest middle class, supported by steady income growth, is creating what economists now call a “certainty dividend.” This internal stability benefits not only China but also its partners, providing a dependable source of demand at a time when many economies are slowing. As Zhou Mi of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation observed, China’s market is evolving “from large to good”, from expansion to quality, from production to shared prosperity.
The 2025 CIIE thus carries significance beyond commerce. It represents a redefinition of globalization, one where technological progress and economic opportunity converge. By keeping its market open and fostering innovation through partnership, China is setting a precedent for how major economies can lead responsibly. Its message is consistent and clear, and it is about openness creating trust, cooperation driving growth, and technology belonging to all.
In a period when global trade is overshadowed by uncertainty, the CIIE stands as proof that connectivity and equality remain the strongest engines of progress. China’s mega market is not just a symbol of economic strength; it is a platform where ideas, technologies, and opportunities meet to build a more balanced global future.
Author: Muhammad Asif Noor – Founder Friends of BRI Forum, Advisor to Pakistan Research Center, Hebei Normal University.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bridging News).