Through eight editions of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), new and returning friends have participated with enthusiasm and left satisfied. This annual autumn event in the East facilitates win-win cooperation between global enterprises and the Chinese market, while building trust and driving innovation.

As Iskra Reic, AstraZeneca's International Executive Vice President, stated at the Invest in China · 2025 Shanghai City Investment Promotion Conference on November 6, "We are privileged to witness and contribute to China's transformation from the world's factory to an innovation hub. Shanghai has been instrumental in this transition," she noted, emphasizing that AstraZeneca's Global R&D (China) Center in Jing'an, Shanghai, is now vital to its growth in China.

Like AstraZeneca, Jing'an, propelled by the CIIE, continues to generate stories of trust, mutual success, and innovation.

PART 1 "A Promise of Trust"

Building on its appeal to both local and outside investors, Jing'an District is leveraging its "certainty" to cement confidence for increased long-term investment.

L'Oréal, a global beauty leader in Jing'an for 27 years, is both a long-standing CIIE friend and the largest exhibitor in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, now in its eighth consecutive year.

Marc-Antoine POULLE, Senior Vice President of L'Oréal Operations North Asia and China, said Jing'an's mature industrial ecosystem, efficient government services, and open market environment enable multinational corporations to swiftly implement global innovation locally. Its business environment—attracting both local and outside investors—is the primary reason for sustained investment.

"Jing'an is an ideal gateway for foreign-invested enterprises entering the Chinese market." Owen Messick, President of dōTERRA China, attributes the concentration of globally recognized brands in Jing'an to the government's consistent support for corporate growth. "We are fortunate to have established our first overseas R&D center in Jing'an in 2022. Each year, we participate in the CIIE, expanding our booth and securing higher purchase commitments from clients."

Jing'an's central location and superior business environment make it a leading destination for foreign investment in China. Currently, Jing'an hosts more than 6,200 foreign-invested enterprises. Its tax revenue ranks first among central urban districts, and the spatial concentration of foreign investment leads all central urban districts of Shanghai.

Beyond its vibrant commercial atmosphere, Jing'an provides a reliable business environment that ensures long-term stability for foreign-invested enterprises, enabling them to establish and grow efficiently. This long-term, stable, and dynamic policy and business environment has attracted world-leading enterprises, including L'Oréal, AstraZeneca, and Kering Group, to choose Jing'an as their strategic base in the Chinese market.

PART 2 "A Promise of Mutual Success"

From established relationships to lasting partnerships, a single participation delivers enduring benefits.

Mutual success is the core principle of cooperation between Jing'an and foreign-invested enterprises. For Jing'an, while the CIIE is a brief event, win-win cooperation represents a long-term commitment.

Cooperation opportunities extend beyond the CIIE venue.

During the 8th CIIE, Kering Group CEO Luca de Meo visited Shanghai. While touring the store in Jing'an and meeting with the district officials, he expressed Kering Group's firm confidence in the Chinese market and Jing'an. He announced plans to host more global premieres, debuts, and first-store events in Jing'an, not only to introduce the latest trends but also to establish Jing'an as a strategic hub for driving consumption innovation and elevating West Nanjing Road to a world-class business district.

Like the Kering Group, many foreign-invested enterprises have evolved from CIIE regulars to long-term partners of Jing'an through eight editions of CIIE. The number of participating enterprises from Jing'an increased from 16 at the first CIIE to 53 this year. Jing'an trade delegation continues to lead all city districts in procurement intentions, with annual growth. Outstanding enterprises and high-quality projects continue to establish operations in Jing'an, advancing together with the district.

Over eight years of continuous improvement at CIIE, Jing'an has capitalized on CIIE's opportunities, expanded its network, and fully leveraged the spillover driving effect.

At this year's CIIE, Jing'an introduced three featured booths: Global Service Provider Program, Beauty Nova Tech Hub, and Zhang Yuan. The district also established a full-cycle service system with pre-expo exploration, in-expo matchmaking, and expo-period interaction. Through roundtables and themed salons, Jing'an transformed the CIIE's short-term impact into long-term cooperation, delivering lasting participation benefits.

PART 3 "A Promise of Innovation"

From "Made in China" to "Innovated in China", Jing'an helps foreign investment integrate into the local ecosystem.

Innovation drives Jing'an's cooperation with foreign-invested enterprises. In recent years, more foreign-invested enterprises have expanded beyond product sales in China to deep investments in local R&D and manufacturing. In response, the international Jing'an has kept optimizing the business environment and improving services for foreign investment, serving as a key engine for corporate innovation—from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China"—to help enterprises integrate into the local ecosystem and expand in the Chinese market.

The innovation journey of enterprises such as AstraZeneca and L'Oréal in China exemplifies joint growth and innovation between Jing'an and foreign-invested enterprises.

During this year's CIIE, L'Oréal and Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University established the "Huashan Hospital-L'Oréal China Joint Laboratory of Dermatological Science" to collaborate on scientific research, technology transfer, and science communication for advancing the innovation and development of dermatological science.

Notably, the groundwork for this collaboration was laid in May. With guidance and support from Jing'an District authorities, L'Oréal China and Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University became founding partners of the "Beauty Nova Tech Hub" Skin Health Management Innovation Center.

As a regular exhibitor at CIIE, AstraZeneca has leveraged this national platform to strengthen international cooperation, increase investment in China, and partner with local innovators to advance science and innovation. During this year's CIIE, AstraZeneca announced plans to expand manufacturing operations in China with an additional investment of USD 136 million.

As AstraZeneca developed its local R&D engine, Jing'an supported its rapid growth in Shanghai with targeted policies, efficient talent services, and comprehensive enterprise support. Last year, AstraZeneca's Global R&D (China) Center in Jing'an was upgraded to its first global strategic R&D center in China.

The certainty of the Chinese market and the confidence of foreign-invested enterprises demonstrated by CIIE are now widely recognized among multinational corporations. Jing'an District, a pivotal hub for foreign-invested enterprises expanding into the Chinese market, will continue to play an essential role—from trust to mutual success, innovation to sustained investment. In partnership with global enterprises, it will seize new opportunities for future growth and achieve lasting mutual success.