Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

　　A selection of more than 300 imported products, from Russian peony shrimp and Sri Lankan black tea to Bulgarian rose skin care products, reportedly converged in Suzhou, East China"s Jiangsu Province, as part of China"s "Big Market for All: Export to China" series.

　　The event provided a close-up view of China"s evolving import market, highlighting the diversity of products and the growing sophistication of domestic consumer demand beyond what headline trade figures alone can reveal.

　　State broadcaster CCTV News reported on Wednesday that the Suzhou stage of the "Export to China" series runs alongside the upcoming APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting. The series is designed to connect Chinese buyers with international suppliers, creating channels that facilitate the entry of high-quality imports while reaching local consumers, making China a preferred export destination for more countries and regions.

　　In February, China launched the first event of its 2026 "Export to China" series in Beijing. Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that hosting the series is a proactive move by China to expand self-initiated opening-up, actively increase imports and promote more balanced trade development.

　　Global trade is facing persistent pressures from rising protectionism, with some economists pointing to slower economic growth and increasing geopolitical fragmentation as additional challenges. In this context, promoting open markets and trade liberalization is becoming increasingly important.

　　In recent years, China has taken steps in this direction, creating new opportunities for APEC economies and the wider region. Expanding efforts by other economies to promote trade liberalization could unlock broader benefits for international trade.