BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) is set to reaffirm the lasting appeal of the Chinese market, with robust international participation underscoring global businesses' continued confidence in the world's second-largest economy.
Scheduled to take place in south China's Hainan Province from April 13 to 18, this expo will see the participation of more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping said at a press conference on Monday.
International exhibits will account for 65 percent of the total, up 20 percentage points from last year.
Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's gigantic market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.
Sheng noted that the expo has become a "bridgehead" for high-level opening up, with over 230,000 domestic and overseas buyers participating across the five expos to date.
"It has opened a fast-track channel for high-quality consumer goods from around the world to enter the Chinese market, and injected continuous new momentum into upgrading consumption and unlocking the potential of China's vast market," he said.
Canada, this year's guest of honor, will bring nearly 40 companies to showcase cosmetics, agricultural products, pet food and more. Russia and Bulgaria are among the nations setting up national pavilions for the first time, while official delegations from 12 countries and regions, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Ireland, will also attend.
Beyond the main venue, a health exhibition area in Boao will feature 120 international pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and a yacht show in Sanya is expected to host over 200 yachts, with international brands accounting for 70 percent.
This year's expo carries added significance as it will be the first edition since the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) fully launched island-wide special customs operations in December last year.
Under the new rule, the "first line" linking Hainan with overseas markets allows most imported goods to enter tariff-free with faster clearance, while the "second line" between Hainan and the mainland applies standard customs oversight.
For exhibitors and consumers alike, this year's consumer expo offers a first glimpse of how the new policies will reshape trade and consumption dynamics.
Bateer, vice governor of Hainan Province, emphasized that the event is not only a platform for showcasing global consumer goods but also a window for the concentrated release of favorable policies following the launch of special customs operations.
For exhibitors, this means enhanced customs clearance efficiency and lower logistics costs. The expansion of the zero-tariff goods list to over 6,600 items opens up new possibilities for setting up production and supply chain hubs in Hainan, catering to both the vast mainland market and Southeast Asia.
For consumers, the experience is becoming more immersive and accessible. Thanks to the duty-free policy for imported exhibits during the expo, consumers can purchase a wide range of new and unique products from around the world directly at the venue, all at duty-free prices.
The expo is also positioning itself as a global launchpad for lifestyle trends and a must-visit destination for the latest innovations. According to Bateer, more than 200 new products are expected to be unveiled at this year's expo, doubling the number from the previous year.
Among them will be new models of flying cars, intelligent robots and smart public transport stations. The expo will also feature a dedicated pavilion highlighting consumer goods from 22 countries and regions under the theme of "exporting to China," setting a new record for the number of participating national and regional pavilions.
"It is fair to say that the CICPE has effectively transformed the policy dividends of the FTP into market vitality, industrial momentum and tangible development results," Sheng said. ■
