This year's expo is both futuristic and future-oriented. From tires for lunar exploration vehicles to motor-powered shoes and machines that can remove odors and decompose bacteria in the air, a dazzling array of life-changing technologies and products have demonstrated the willingness of global companies to join efforts with China to create a better future for humanity.

"We firmly believe that investing in China is investing in the future," said Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China.

Statistics show that over 400 new products, technologies and services have been showcased, spanning sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), new materials, autonomous systems and energy transition technologies.

BUILDING ON THE PAST

The shared expectations for the future are based on a long history of cooperation. Many of the CIIE's exhibitors, having been in the Chinese market for decades and in some case over a century, have highlighted their deep connection with China while reaffirming a strong willingness to further tap into the vast Chinese market.

During the expo, Siemens Energy exhibited a model of its power-generation unit for the Shilongba hydropower plant, China's first hydroelectric plant launched in 1912, which is still in operation.

The company also exhibited a wide range of green technologies, including hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies, and wind turbines.

The German energy transition giant is looking to explore market opportunities in China as the country has been accelerating the energy transition to meet the dual carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060.

China's dedication to building a modern energy system creates "extensive market opportunities" for global energy technology companies, said Christian Bruch, president and CEO of Siemens Energy AG.

At the booth of Toyota, a 1964 Toyota Crown model was showcased, symbolizing the brand's first entry into the Chinese mainland market 60 years ago.

The Japanese carmaker mostly showcased green vehicles -- all-electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks -- as it caters to changes in consumer demand in the world's largest automotive market.

Toyota also put on show an eye-catching pure-electric robotaxi concept car, developed in partnership with Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai.

Xu Yiming, brand communication department director of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd., said the CIIE is not only an event to showcase the latest technologies, but also a platform to exchange ideas.

German optical systems giant ZEISS Group, which has participated in the CIIE for seven consecutive years, has been in the Chinese market for 67 years.

"Since entering China 67 years ago, ZEISS has always had confidence in China's potential," said Maximilian Foerst, president and CEO of ZEISS Greater China.

"China is the largest single market for ZEISS globally since 2021, and we continue to deepen our localization strategy," said Foerst, citing the launch of its research and development (R&D) and manufacturing site in Suzhou and its quality excellence center in Dongguan earlier this year.