The CIIE logo and mascot Jinbao are showcased at a news conference in Shanghai on July 27, 2018. [Photo by Yang Yang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The CIIE has proven to be an ideal platform for exchange between buyers, industry partners, and government agencies, according to General Electric, a three-time participant of the expo.

Xiang Weiming, vice-president of GE and president of GE China, said that the annual import fair has also allowed more world-leading products and technologies to enter the Chinese market.

In the first CIIE in 2018, GE joined more than 20 other companies to form the CIIE Exhibitors Alliance and serve as the chair of the alliance.

"Joining the alliance allows us to work well with all parties, gather information, promote exchanges and cooperation and resource sharing, and inject impetus into regional and global economic, trade and business exchanges," he explained.

At the second edition of the expo, GE expanded the scale of its exhibition and launched the world's first FDA-approved artificial intelligence CT system APEX CT. It also demonstrated its first tailor-made clean energy and smart manufacturing solutions for China.

In 2020, GE participated in two different exhibition zones - Intelligent Industry & Information Technology and Medical Equipment & Healthcare. Its joint-venture CFM also signed its first order with China Eastern Airlines right after the CIIE opening ceremony.

In addition, GE and Harbin Electric Group joined hands with Harbin Electric Power Group at the expo to provide equipment for the Ningzhou Power Plant in Dongwan, Guangdong province, which is expected to be put into operation in 2022.

Xiang said that China has become GE's largest single country market outside of the United States.

"Through the CIIE, we can showcase our industry expertise in the fields of aviation, energy and precision medicine to meet the needs of China's economy. We hope to continue to provide solutions to the country's high-quality development, which would benefit more Chinese people," he said.