China will host the first international import expo, China International Import Expo, from November 5 to 10, 2018 in Shanghai, said Fu Ziying, Vice-Minister of Commerce and International Trade Representative with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Nov 2.

Fu was speaking at a news conference that the State Council Information Office organized to brief the media on the preparation work for the expo.

President Xi Jinping announced the country would host the import expo starting in 2018 at the opening ceremony of the two-day Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation this May in Beijing.

The expo represents the important measure that China has taken to further open up its market to the world, and it will increase imports.

Many countries have seen economic growth through exports to China in the past five years, said Zhang Jianping, president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce.

“China has a large-sized middle class and will become the world’s biggest consumer market in a few years. If we increase imports from other countries, it will help many nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative share in China’s rapid growth.”

The first import expo will showcase two exhibitions, one on the Belt and Road countries’ trade and investment, including their goods and services, tourism, and featured products, and the other on varied business sectors, including consumer electronics, auto, clothing, food, medical equipment, service outsourcing and education.

Hongqiao International Trade Forum will also be held during the expo with state leaders, ministers, heads of international organizations, business representatives and scholars participating.