Companies are turning connections made at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) into long-term investment, sales and local operations in Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District, helping drive consumer goods imports from 13.3 billion yuan ($1.98 billion) in 2020 to 68.4 billion yuan in 2025, according to the district administration.
The transformation reflects Hongqiao's "6 days + 365 days" approach, which extends the six-day expo through year-round product displays, sales channels and investment services.
South Korean food company Samyang Foods, for example, showcased its spicy chicken-flavored instant noodles at the CIIE in 2020 before establishing its China headquarters in Hongqiao the following year. Its China business generated 2.6 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for nearly 30 percent of its global exports.
Thai beverage company IFBH Group signed an investment intention worth tens of millions of dollars during its CIIE debut in 2025 and subsequently established its IF brand's China headquarters in Hongqiao.
German intralogistics group Jungheinrich has participated in eight consecutive editions of the expo. During this period, its share of locally sourced components rose from 51 percent to 80 percent, while products developed at its Qingpu plant are now exported to more than 40 countries.
Hongqiao is also expanding year-round trade platforms. The Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub has helped bring more than 5,000 CIIE products into circulation and enabled over 200 overseas brands to hold debut exhibitions or open their first stores.
Meanwhile, the Hongqiao Imported Goods Exhibition and Trading Center, known as Hongqiao 365, provides permanent display and sales space for international products, complemented by livestreaming and cross-border e-commerce services.
The district plans to further integrate its exhibition economy with trade, headquarters and innovation activities during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30), turning the CIIE's temporary business connections into lasting economic growth.
