THE Ministry of Commerce said Sunday that deals worth US$71.13 billion were agreed at the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), up 23 percent from last year.

The ministry said on its website that 32 percent of the deals were in manufacturing and 25 percent from the wholesale and retail industry.

The week-long CIIE in Shanghai closed Sunday. More than 230 companies from all over the world have signed up for the third CIIE, with their combined pre-ordered exhibition area exceeding 84,000 square meters, the expo organizer said Sunday.

Among them are more than 80 Fortune Global 500 companies or industrial leaders, with a total exhibition space of more than 50,000 square meters, said Sun Chenghai, vice director of the CIIE Bureau, at the closing of the second CIIE.

Roughly 150 countries and regions took part at this year’s expo along with international organizations to drive home the ideas of cooperation for a better and shared future.

The latest model of luxury car brand Aurus, with a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, was a hit at the Russian booth.

In the unmistakably French pavilion of blue, white and red, the yellow vest of Egan Bernal, winner of 2019 Tour de France, reminded people of the signature sport event of the European country.

Zambia showed its intimacy to nature by bringing sculptures and pictures of giraffes, lions and zebras.

Light aircraft and automobiles are mingled with crystal cups, beer and a piano at the Czech show.

Jamaica’s booth decorated with tropical plants provided impressions of the country’s beaches while enjoying a spectacular view of the Caribbean Sea.

Cambodia’s booth transported visitors to the country’s Royal Palace. (SD-Xinhua)