President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping

Dear heads of state, heads of government, and royal representatives,

Dear heads of international organizations,

Dear heads of delegations,

ladies and gentlemen,

In May 2017, I announced that China will host the China International Import Expo from 2018. After more than a year of preparations and with the support of all parties, now the first China International Import Expo has officially opened!

　　 First of all, on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, and in my own name, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests! I extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to all friends from all five continents!

　　 China International Import Expo is the world's first national-level exhibition with the theme of import so far, and it is a major innovation in the history of international trade development. The holding of the China International Import Expo is a major decision made by China focusing on promoting a new round of high-level opening up to the outside world and a major move by China to actively open its market to the world. This reflects China's consistent position of supporting the multilateral trading system and promoting the development of free trade. It is China's actual action to promote the construction of an open world economy and support economic globalization.

　　 With the theme of 'New Era, Sharing the Future', this year's International Import Expo is to welcome friends from all over the world, grasp China's development opportunities in the new era, deepen international economic and trade cooperation, and achieve common prosperity and progress. A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations participated in the conference, more than 3,600 companies participated in the exhibition, and the total exhibition area reached 300,000 square meters. More than 400,000 domestic and foreign buyers attended the conference to negotiate purchases.