A bird's-eye view of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), which is located in the Hongqiao Central Business District. [Photo/ciie.org]

During the coronavirus outbreak prevention and control period, preparation work for the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be conducted with the help of technologies such as telephones, video communication, email and other non-contact means, according to China International Import Expo Bureau.

Lu Peng, a clerk at the business exhibition department of the CIIE Bureau, said that since Feb 3 he has been communicating with 300 foreign companies about the exhibition through emails and phone and video calls. He added that more than a dozen companies have signed up for the expo by completing online contracts.

According to the team behind the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a parallel event of the CIIE, during the non-contact working period, the department has been making contact with enterprises mainly by telephone, discussing and promoting the work of Hongqiao International Economic Forum membership services.

The enthusiasm of foreign enterprises to participate has not been affected by the epidemic, said Wen Xin, a clerk at the team. The world's largest cement producer, Lafarge, contacted local officials about follow-up matters and the process of contract signing with the forum department on the first day of its resumption of work, and made follow-up arrangements quickly.

At the information department of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the expo's hotline (968888) has been equipped with more staff members to ensure 24-hour bilingual consultation services for the CIIE. At the same time, to ensure epidemic prevention and control and the safety of staff members, measures such as distributing masks, disinfecting and separating seats have been conducted.

According to internal statistics, from Jan 16 to Feb 19, the department received 1,351 calls, nearly double the number in the same period in 2019. Most people have asked about the registration process for the third edition, as well as whether the outbreak would affect the event.