China News Service, Shanghai, November 7. Title: Multi-national customs debut at CIIE, linking the world through opening up China
Author Lan Yini
"This is our country's 'jungle tea', please try it." At the 9th China International Import Expo being held in Shanghai, the Gabon National Pavilion, which debuted for the first time, brought many local specialty foods and drinks. Every time one of them was introduced, the Gabonese girl Mando warmly invited the guests to taste it.
Gabon, located in central Africa, is known as the "Land of Green and Gold". Its tropical rainforest climate has nurtured rich and diverse plant resources. The "jungle tea" in Mando's mouth is made from the local multiflora vine. After a gentle sip, the soft aroma will fill the tip of the tongue. In addition, the museum also displays products such as craft beer incorporating the flavor of African hibiscus flowers.
In the past, most of these products were sold to regions around Africa. Although it is his first time on the CIIE stage, Mando is full of confidence in the good things from his hometown. She said that the bags of tea bags and jars of jam in the exhibition hall are connected to the livelihood of the Gabonese people. Since May this year, China has fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, opening a "green channel" for these specialties to be brought to China's dining tables.
Mando said frankly that Gabon's food processing industry is still in the growth stage. One of her wishes is to seize new opportunities through the CIIE and encourage more Chinese people to join it. "Only with a solid industrial foundation can we better capture policy dividends."
The National Exhibition of this CIIE attracted nearly 70 countries and international organizations to participate in the exhibition. The number of exhibitors exceeded last year, and there are many "new faces" like Gabon. Countries from all over the world brought their most representative customs to the appointment, and while looking for business opportunities, they also presented their business cards to the Chinese market.
Moldova is rich in grapes. When you enter the country's national pavilion, you can not only taste wine from the world's largest wine cellar, but also experience the special grape series skin care products of the local national brand Viorica. Jan Turkan, the brand's chief commercial officer, came to China for the first time to participate in an exhibition. In the past few days, he always actively invites people to try it out and asks them carefully about their feelings.
“When we come here, we most want to hear the true voices of Chinese consumers.” He said that the brand has been established for nearly 40 years and insists on using local Moldova herbs to develop natural products. He hopes to use the CIIE to collect more feedback and polish products that are more suitable for the Chinese market.
Seychelles, known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", is also a "newcomer" to China. This archipelago country is surrounded by clear and vast seas, and its seafood has been sold well in Europe, America, the Middle East and other places. 2026 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles, and Seychelles brought deep-sea wild fish to the CIIE. In the transparent display cabinet, the plump tuna, grouper, and snapper placed on crushed ice attracted many visitors to stop and inquire.
"In Seychelles, fishing is the livelihood of many people." Ilya Kazakov, commercial manager of Marlu Seychelles, said that the global trade environment is changeable, but the Chinese market is stable and dynamic, which is an important part of the company's diversified layout. After the CIIE, he also plans to participate in more Chinese professional exhibitions and further explore the Chinese market step by step.
