The 7th China International Import Expo is underway in Shanghai from Nov 5-10. [Photo/CIIE Bureau]

The first batch of 80 companies and institutions signed to participate in the 2025 China International Import Expo during a signing ceremony held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) on Nov 6.

With a total exhibition area of nearly 50,000 square meters, companies including Namchow, Mercedes-Benz, Estée Lauder Companies, Bayer, Messe München Group and the Singapore Business Federation booked space for the 8th CIIE which will be held in early November next year.

Estée Lauder Companies, one of the companies that signed up for next year's CIIE, brought nearly a hundred new products to this year's exhibition, with over a third of the booth space dedicated to showcasing the current highlights of the group's research and development. The company unveiled its new research centers at its China Innovation Labs in Shanghai's Minhang district earlier last year.

"We are full of confidence in the Chinese market, as Chinese consumers are increasingly becoming an important source of inspiration for us," said Joy Fan, president and CEO of the Estée Lauder Companies China.

Since the launch of the recruitment for the 8th CIIE, companies have been actively signing up, showing increasing enthusiasm for participating in the event and growing confidence in China's development, according to Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce.

The recruitment for next year's CIIE started in July, according to the CIIE bureau. The bureau said overseas companies are encouraged to take the "CIIE Express" to share opportunities brought by China's development.

Overseas companies interested in participating can submit their registration information on the CIIE official website. Previous exhibitors can also contact CIIE staff to register directly.