China's Xi opens global trade expo in Shanghai

TRADE

SHANGHAI - The Second China International Import Expo opened Tuesday with a call on countries to practise free and fair trade.

While opening the expo in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged world leaders to jointly build an open global economy.

He said there is need to reduce barriers to trade, adding that protectionism is counterproductive.

President Xi said China would continue to improve the country's business environment and that the expo has shown the character and competitiveness of Chinese companies.

He pledged to end poverty in the country next year and share the experiences of the country in tackling poverty with the rest of the world.

#Live: President Xi Jinping delivers keynote speech at the 2nd CIIE opening ceremony. #CIIE2019 https://t.co/fJxNZpFYcB

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) November 5, 2019

President Emmanuel Macron of France was among world leaders who converged in Shanghai for the expo. 

During a tour of pavillions of the different countries, President Xi led Macron to the French pavillion for a French wine toast. Macron re-echoed Xi in calling for greater co-operation at the international level.

The expo coincides with China's 70th anniversary since it became the country we know it to be today.

On the sidelines of the expo was the Second Hongqiao International Economic Forum on China's 70-year development and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Shanghai - Pudong.

The forum focused on the country's achievements over the last seven decades.