China and the Caucasus: CIIE 2026 as a Platform for Mutual Opportunities and the Practical Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative

From November 5 to 10, 2026, Shanghai will once again become one of the world's leading centers of economic diplomacy. The city will host the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), an event of particular significance not only for China but also for countries seeking to expand international trade, attract investment, strengthen industrial cooperation, and explore new opportunities for economic growth.
Among these countries, the South Caucasus states—Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia—occupy a special place, as they increasingly view cooperation with China as a promising component of their foreign economic relations. CIIE represents a new format of global economic dialogue. Unlike traditional trade forums primarily focused on promoting domestic exports, this platform opens China's doors to the world, providing foreign manufacturers with direct access to the Chinese market. With its vast economy and enormous consumer base, China invites international companies to showcase their technologies, services, and investment initiatives, while offering opportunities to establish reliable partnerships and achieve mutually beneficial growth.

Launched in 2018 at the initiative of China's leadership, the expo has rapidly expanded in scale and significance. Over the years, CIIE has evolved beyond a conventional trade exhibition into a dynamic platform for global dialogue. It brings together government representatives, multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, financial institutions, and the scientific community. Today, the event stands as a clear demonstration of China's economic openness and Beijing's commitment to building partnerships based on mutual benefit and respect for shared interests. The scale of the upcoming exhibition reflects its growing international importance. CIIE 2026 is expected to welcome participants from 162 countries, territories, and international organizations. More than 4,142 overseas companies are expected to present their products and innovations, while the total exhibition area will exceed 440,000 square meters for the first time.
Among the exhibitors will be more than 300 major multinational corporations and leading companies from various industries. Over 2,000 companies will participate in the expo for the first time. The geographical diversity of participants deserves particular attention. Companies from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many other countries will be widely represented.

The active participation of European, American, and Asian businesses demonstrates that the Chinese market continues to hold considerable appeal for international companies.
For foreign manufacturers, China offers access to a vast consumer base, major retail networks, industrial enterprises, investment institutions, and advanced digital platforms. For China itself, expanding imports helps strengthen competition, meet domestic demand, facilitate technological exchange, and deepen international production ties.
The upcoming expo will bring together key sectors of the global economy. Shanghai will showcase agricultural and food products, consumer goods, automobiles and intelligent transportation solutions, industrial equipment, medical and pharmaceutical innovations, digital technologies, and international services.

Particular emphasis will be placed on advanced manufacturing technologies and innovative products making their debut in the Chinese or global markets.
An important part of the program is the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held alongside the exhibition. The forum provides an opportunity to discuss international trade, economic openness, global supply chains, the digital economy, and prospects for international development.
Notably, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia have already announced programs supporting the participation of their national producers in CIIE. Despite differences in their economic structures and political priorities, all three South Caucasus countries regard the Chinese market as a promising platform for realizing their economic potential and strengthening mutually beneficial business relations. Georgia's Enterprise Georgia agency, together with the Trade with Georgia platform, has launched a selection program for food industry companies interested in participating in the exhibition. The program focuses on products such as tea, honey, nuts, spices, natural juices, mineral waters, and confectionery. Participating companies are eligible for government financial support, highlighting Georgia's genuine interest in strengthening the position of its producers in the Chinese market.

Azerbaijan also intends to make active use of the opportunities offered by CIIE 2026. The Ministry of Economy and AZPROMO have announced a selection process for companies wishing to participate in a joint national exhibition stand bringing together up to 12 enterprises.
Priority will be given to food products, beverages, and goods from the non-oil sector.
Expanding exports of finished products is particularly important for Baku as part of its broader economic diversification strategy. Entering the Chinese market creates opportunities to expand export destinations, support domestic processing industries, and promote national brands. Moreover, the exhibition offers favorable conditions for establishing lasting contacts with Chinese investors and business communities. Economic cooperation between China and Azerbaijan is also gaining an important transportation dimension. For Beijing, Azerbaijan is a key partner in strengthening transport connectivity across Eurasia. Baku, in turn, sees this cooperation as a means of modernizing infrastructure, increasing freight volumes, attracting investment, and developing related sectors of the economy. Participation in CIIE provides an opportunity to complement growing transport cooperation with more dynamic trade relations.

Armenia has likewise confirmed its readiness to participate in the exhibition. The country's Ministry of Economy has invited domestic companies to present their products and capabilities in the Chinese market. Armenian enterprises have considerable potential to expand exports of agricultural products, food, beverages, confectionery, and modern technological solutions.
Deepening economic ties with China is becoming an important instrument for Armenia to diversify its foreign trade and stimulate the development of new industries.
Looking ahead, improvements in the South Caucasus transportation infrastructure could create favorable conditions for expanding Armenian exports and enabling the country to participate more fully in international production and supply chains. Cooperation with China is gaining particular importance against the backdrop of ongoing changes in the international geopolitical landscape.

For the Caucasus, these developments open new horizons while also presenting ambitious challenges. The region's advantageous geographical location strengthens its role in global trade. However, genuine sustainable development requires more than simply making effective use of transit potential. It also calls for building a strong industrial base, increasing exports, and introducing advanced technologies. The economic strengths and opportunities of China and the Caucasus complement one another remarkably well. China offers access to a vast consumer market, advanced technologies, and substantial investment resources. The Caucasus, in turn, offers a strategic geographical location, rich production traditions, natural resources, and promising opportunities for economic development. This complementarity gives the partnership practical value and provides a foundation for long-term sustainability.

Therefore, the true significance of CIIE 2026 will be measured not so much by the scale of its exhibitions as by the tangible results of negotiations, new export contracts, joint ventures, and investment projects. It is essential that economic opportunities develop in both directions, ensuring mutual benefit and sustained interest among all participants.
Amid global transformations, CIIE 2026 serves as a powerful demonstration of the value of open economic dialogue. For the Caucasus, it offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen its position in international trade. For China, it provides a chance to deepen relations with a region whose importance in the Eurasian economy continues to grow. It is precisely this kind of cooperation—built on mutual respect, pragmatism, and shared interests—that can lay a solid foundation for a new stage of partnership and contribute to the practical implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Elbrus Mamedov

SR-CENTER.INFO