THE country will soon host a huge trade fair to highlight its commitment to free trade and demonstrate its willingness to import.

The China International Import Expo, announced by President Xi Jinping in 2017, will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.

The expo was a “broadly positive gesture” that China wants to increase imports, said Ken Jarrett, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

The expo, which will fill an exhibition hall bigger than 35 soccer pitches, is one of the most important events on China’s diplomatic calendar this year, with foreign officials and executives due to attend.

As the first State-level import expo in the world, the fair marks the shift in China’s economic development model from export-oriented to balancing import and export. It is expected to give firm support to trade liberalization and economic globalization, and actively open the Chinese market to the world.

Analysts believe that against the global backdrop of trade protectionism, the expo is consistent with China’s long-time efforts to seek mutual benefits and advocate free trade. The Commerce Ministry and Shanghai government established new departments to organize and run it, and a special dispute resolution tribunal has been set up.

Chinese embassy staff around the world and officials at home have been inviting foreign businesses and governments to participate, according to diplomats and businessmen.

Several people who have attended planning briefings say that State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and local government delegations would attend in force, ready to do deals.

“The SOEs have their marching orders to make big orders,” the second senior diplomat familiar with the planning said.

Companies like Europe’s biggest pork exporter, Danish Crown, will be there.

“Danish Crown is one of the very large exporters to China so we’ll of course be there,” said Soeren Tinggaard, vice president for Pork Export Strategy & Marketing. “There will be signals from the government about ‘how we’re going to import more’ and of course, we’re going to be there to hear that.”

Horacio Licon, vice president of the Greater Houston Partnership, an economic development organization serving the Greater Houston area, said that the Shanghai expo will help Houston increase its trade ties with China.

Licon said this kind of platform is really important right now, especially at a time when China and the United States have rising trade frictions.

“There’s a need to remain aware of the latest changes that we need to follow in order to make the products reach their customers,” Licon said. “So instead of losing value, I think this type of event is even more important now.”(SD-Agencies)