In recent years, the China International Import Expo has seen a growing interest among international students. During the 7th CIIE, held from Nov 5 to 10, many students from Shanghai Normal University took the initiative to provide volunteer service.

Loren Taleo, from Vanuatu, began studying at Shanghai Normal University this September. Her abilities and passion earned her an invitation from the Vanuatu Embassy to join this year's CIIE, where she assisted with business negotiations at the Vanuatu booth.

Vanuatu attaches great importance to the CIIE platform. Since the first CIIE, Vanuatu has registered for the exhibition for seven consecutive years. "Attending the 7th China International Import Expo has been an amazing experience for me ever since I came to China," said Taleo. "I am honored to participate in this event as Vanuatu's student representative, and we are very hopeful that the CIIE will bring new opportunities for our country's businesses."

At the expo, Vanuatu showcased traditional handicrafts, coffee, mineral water, essential oils, chocolate, and drinks such as Kava, as well as local traditional hand-woven and woodcut handicrafts.

"The CIIE is not only a grand event for trade, but also a platform for cultural exchanges. Participating in this event allowed me to see world culture from a different perspective, and gave me the opportunity to explore the cultures and products of other countries. In the process, my international perspective and cross-cultural communication skills were improved," said Taleo, expressing her eagerness to participate again next year.

Farnaz Rasoologhli is a master's student from Iran at Shanghai Normal University. At school, she participates in various volunteer work. During the 2023-24 academic year, while serving as the president of the International Student Association of SHNU, she supported international students on campus and promoted cultural exchanges. During the expo, she served as the trade negotiation assistant and interpreter for an Iranian oil company. Her energy and language skills were a bright spot throughout the event.

Since the first CIIE in 2018, Iran has been sending delegations to participate and promote trade with China. Rasoologhli was delighted to find that many Iranian exhibitors displayed special products such as food, handicrafts, and carpets from her hometown. "As an Iranian, I am very happy to see that our country's culture has been better spread and promoted through the CIIE so that friends in China and people from other countries can have a deeper understanding of Iran," she said.

Knowing the long-standing friendship between China and Iran, dating back to the ancient Silk Road, she said that she sincerely hoped the friendship transcending time and space, could be further strengthened and developed in the future. She expressed her desire to contribute to it.

Sardorjon Okboev from Uzbekistan said, "I took a bus with my Chinese schoolmates to visit the expo. On the way, I was excited to introduce my country Uzbekistan as a guest of honor this year. I also had the honor to translate relevant work for the leaders of our country visiting the expo." "After arriving at the venue, I was very happy to see the China Pavilion and the Uzbekistan Pavilion facing each other. The familiar products in the pavilion made me feel at home," he said.

Danar Zarylkhanov, a computer science and technology student from Kazakhstan, was keen on the advanced technology and innovation trends at the exhibition. "The dazzling array of products and technologies from different countries at the exhibition made me feel the interconnectivity of the global economy and the important role China plays in promoting scientific and technological innovation in global trade and regional cooperation," he said.

Ayjahan Taganmammedova, from Turkmenistan, explored various expo venues. "At the exhibition, the specialties from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative were impressive. Whether it was advanced technological products or unique cultural goods from each country, I could fully feel the bright future of China's shared prosperity with the world," she said.