The latest edition of the CIIE Stories, a two-volume bilingual book telling participants' stories at the China International Import Expo, was launched on Nov 8 during the seventh CIIE in Shanghai.

Compiled together by the CIIE Bureau, National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co Ltd and China News Network, the book vividly depicts and documents the scenes and details at the expo, where participants are actively involved in economic and trade cooperation, mutual trust and cultural exchanges.

This is the third consecutive year that the book has been released during the expo. Over the past three years, over 180 CIIE stories have been published, contributing to more than 25,000 media reports and a total coverage of about two billion views.

"These CIIE stories record the expo's footprints, with exhibitors turning into investors and exhibits becoming products in the Chinese market. They also evidently demonstrate how the expo has been promoting cooperation and openness," said Li Guoqing, deputy director of the CIIE Bureau.

Solfrid Helgesen, Norwegian deputy consul general in Shanghai, noted at the book launch ceremony that these true stories and moments have shown a new landscape of global trade cooperation. With China and Norway celebrating 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, she expected more companies from Norway to join the expo and share their CIIE stories.

During the ceremony, Ysabel Zea, co-founder of Warmpaca, a Peruvian firm engaged in the alpaca fur business, shared her CIIE story. She pointed out that the expo has helped bring Peru's craftsmanship to the world stage. Warmpaca's production capacity has increased five-fold thanks to the expo, benefiting over 200 families in Peru.

Morten Ugelvig Andersen, chief executive officer of Venture Cup Denmark, has invited a number of startup companies from around the world to attend the expo, as he saw the CIIE "a great platform to promote innovation and enhance collaboration".

"The CIIE offers a great and attractive opportunity for startups to get insights into the Chinese market, meet potential partners and customers, as well as build network among their counterparts in China and international peers," said Andersen.

The CIIE stories are not only related to business, but also attached to cultures. Justyna Szpakowska, a media planner from Poland who has been promoting Chinese culture on social media platforms, highlighted her hometown in her CIIE story.

"I was truly so excited when I saw the national pavilion of my own country, Poland, at the CIIE. I talked with them in my mother tongue and they gave me the sweets from my hometown — in Shanghai! The expo made me feel so tender and warm, when it connected us and the world together," said Szpakowska.