The Indian Trade Expo 2025, organized by the High Commission of India, Abuja, in association with the Indian Professionals Forum, was held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. Watch to know more!

India seeks improved bilateral trade with Nigeria at inaugural trade Expo in Lagos

Chinese&nbsp;Premier Li Qiang&nbsp;on Sunday said that the country would further expand market access and increase imports, reiterating its commitment to opening up its economy.

According to Reuters, Li stated that China aims to reach cumulative imports of goods and services worth $17 trillion within the next five years.

"No matter how the world changes, China's pace of opening up will never stall, and its determination to share development opportunities with the world will never change," Reuter quoted Li as saying during the opening ceremony of the&nbsp;China International Import Expo in Shanghai.&nbsp;

Li emphasised that China is set to promote the coordinated development of trade in both goods and services, safeguard an international business environment, and ease market access, including lifting restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing.

The China International Import Expo began in 2018 as a means to promote China's credentials in free trade and address concerns about its trade surplus with multiple countries. However, participation in the expo over the past three years was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the intentions of the event, it has drawn criticism from the European Chamber of Commerce in China, which labelled it a "political showcase" and called for more concrete actions to restore confidence among European businesses operating in the country.

This year's expo, running from November 5th to 10th, has seen the presence of large delegations from countries like Australia and the United States, along with the participation of renowned companies such as Micron Technology, Nestle, Burberry, and L'Oreal, as reported by state media.

During the opening ceremony, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the first visit to China by an Australian leader in seven years, underscored the importance of dialogue and cooperation, stating that it is in the interest of all parties.

In his speech, Li Qiang also mentioned China's intention to "actively promote" its application to join the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Several other countries, including Taiwan, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Ecuador, have also applied for membership.

The CPTPP, a significant trade pact agreed upon in 2018 among 11 countries, aims to reduce trade barriers. Britain became the 12th member earlier this year. China's application is next in line to be considered by the 12 members, in the order of their submission.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday said that the country would further expand market access and increase imports, reiterating its commitment to opening up its economy.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday said that the country would further expand market access and increase imports, reiterating its commitment to opening up its economy. According to Reuters, Li stated that China aims to reach cumulative imports of goods and services worth $17 trillion within the next five years. "No matter how the world changes, China's pace of opening up will never stall, and its determination to share development opportunities with the world will never change," Reuter quoted Li as saying during the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Li emphasised that China is set to promote the coordinated development of trade in both goods and services, safeguard an international business environment, and ease market access, including lifting restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing. The China International Import Expo began in 2018 as a means to promote China's credentials in free trade and address concerns about its trade surplus with multiple countries. However, participation in the expo over the past three years was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the intentions of the event, it has drawn criticism from the European Chamber of Commerce in China, which labelled it a "political showcase" and called for more concrete actions to restore confidence among European businesses operating in the country. This year's expo, running from November 5th to 10th, has seen the presence of large delegations from countries like Australia and the United States, along with the participation of renowned companies such as Micron Technology, Nestle, Burberry, and L'Oreal, as reported by state media. During the opening ceremony, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the first visit to China by an Australian leader in seven years, underscored the importance of dialogue and cooperation, stating that it is in the interest of all parties. In his speech, Li Qiang also mentioned China's intention to "actively promote" its application to join the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Several other countries, including Taiwan, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Ecuador, have also applied for membership. The CPTPP, a significant trade pact agreed upon in 2018 among 11 countries, aims to reduce trade barriers. Britain became the 12th member earlier this year. China's application is next in line to be considered by the 12 members, in the order of their submission. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China to boost imports and market access despite criticism at Trade Expo

Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by the European Council president that was set to criticise Russia's "illegal war" in Ukraine and call for reduced EU trade dependency on China, diplomats said.&nbsp;

The pre-recorded video by Charles Michel was meant to be one of several from world leaders and heads of international organisations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the opening of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Friday, three European diplomats told Reuters.&nbsp;

The diplomats, who cannot be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters they were surprised that the speech had been removed.&nbsp;

"President Michel was invited to address 5th Hongqiao Forum/CIIE in Shanghai," Barend Leyts, a spokesman for Michel told Reuters. "As requested by the Chinese authorities, we had indeed provided a pre-recorded message which was ultimately not shown. We have addressed this through the normal diplomatic channels."&nbsp;

Neither of the co-organisers of the expo, China's commerce ministry and the Shanghai city government, responded to Reuters' requests for comment. A spokesman for China's foreign ministry denied awareness of the issue.&nbsp;

"I am not aware of the relevant situation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday. "I cannot comment on this."&nbsp;

Other dignitaries who did speak at the ceremony after Xi included the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the director-general of the World Trade Organization and the presidents of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Belarus, according to the expo's official website.&nbsp;

Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko is a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country has hosted thousands of Russian troops before and during what Moscow calls its "special operation" in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-india-becomes-top-importer-of-russian-oil-us-says-not-planning-sanctions-532144" hreflang="en">No sanctions on countries like India for importing Russian oil, says US</a>

The European Council president's speech was set to be heavily critical of "Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine" and say Europe is learning "important lessons" from it, according to excerpts of the address provided by EU diplomats.&nbsp;

Europe has been over-dependent on Russia for fossil fuels, leading to a trade imbalance, Michel was to say.&nbsp;

"In Europe, we want balance in our trade relations... to avoid over-dependencies," according to the diplomats familiar with what he was to say. "This is also true of our trade relations with China."&nbsp;

Michel was also set to call for China to do more do put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine.&nbsp;

China has consistently refused to criticise Russia's aggression, which has ravaged cities across Ukraine and killed thousands of soldiers and civilians since it began on February 24.&nbsp;

"China has a role in using its influence to stop Russia's brutal war... through your so-called "no-limits" partnership with Russia," Michel was to say, referring to a pact announced by Xi and Putin in Beijing before the war began. "You, China, can help put an end to this."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pro-imran-khan-protesters-block-roads-to-islamabad-as-political-turmoil-continues-in-pakistan-532175">Pro-Imran Khan protesters block roads to Islamabad in fresh demonstrations</a>

Both Xi and Michel are expected to attend and meet at the Group of Twenty (G20) heads of state summit in Bali next Tuesday and Wednesday.&nbsp;

The president of the European Council is one of the European Union's top ranked officials whose role includes representing the bloc at international summits and bilateral summits with other heads of state.&nbsp;

Since 2019, the EU has officially regarded China as a partner, an economic competitor and systemic rival.&nbsp;

The EU's foreign policy service said in a paper last month that Beijing should now be thought of primarily as a competitor which is promoting "an alternative vision of the world order".&nbsp;

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Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by the European Council president that was set to criticise Russia's "illegal war" in Ukraine and call for reduced EU trade dependency on China, diplomats said.

Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by the European Council president that was set to criticise Russia's "illegal war" in Ukraine and call for reduced EU trade dependency on China, diplomats said. The pre-recorded video by Charles Michel was meant to be one of several from world leaders and heads of international organisations, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the opening of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Friday, three European diplomats told Reuters. The diplomats, who cannot be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Reuters they were surprised that the speech had been removed. "President Michel was invited to address 5th Hongqiao Forum/CIIE in Shanghai," Barend Leyts, a spokesman for Michel told Reuters. "As requested by the Chinese authorities, we had indeed provided a pre-recorded message which was ultimately not shown. We have addressed this through the normal diplomatic channels." Neither of the co-organisers of the expo, China's commerce ministry and the Shanghai city government, responded to Reuters' requests for comment. A spokesman for China's foreign ministry denied awareness of the issue. "I am not aware of the relevant situation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday. "I cannot comment on this." Other dignitaries who did speak at the ceremony after Xi included the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, the director-general of the World Trade Organization and the presidents of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Belarus, according to the expo's official website. Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko is a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country has hosted thousands of Russian troops before and during what Moscow calls its "special operation" in Ukraine. Also read | No sanctions on countries like India for importing Russian oil, says US The European Council president's speech was set to be heavily critical of "Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine" and say Europe is learning "important lessons" from it, according to excerpts of the address provided by EU diplomats. Europe has been over-dependent on Russia for fossil fuels, leading to a trade imbalance, Michel was to say. "In Europe, we want balance in our trade relations... to avoid over-dependencies," according to the diplomats familiar with what he was to say. "This is also true of our trade relations with China." Michel was also set to call for China to do more do put an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine. China has consistently refused to criticise Russia's aggression, which has ravaged cities across Ukraine and killed thousands of soldiers and civilians since it began on February 24. "China has a role in using its influence to stop Russia's brutal war... through your so-called "no-limits" partnership with Russia," Michel was to say, referring to a pact announced by Xi and Putin in Beijing before the war began. "You, China, can help put an end to this." Also read | Pro-Imran Khan protesters block roads to Islamabad in fresh demonstrations Both Xi and Michel are expected to attend and meet at the Group of Twenty (G20) heads of state summit in Bali next Tuesday and Wednesday. The president of the European Council is one of the European Union's top ranked officials whose role includes representing the bloc at international summits and bilateral summits with other heads of state. Since 2019, the EU has officially regarded China as a partner, an economic competitor and systemic rival. The EU's foreign policy service said in a paper last month that Beijing should now be thought of primarily as a competitor which is promoting "an alternative vision of the world order".

China cancelled EU leader's video address at opening of major trade expo

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