
CIIE Transforms into a Hub for Connections Between Local and Global Healthcare Companies
Chinese medical brands exploring global opportunities garnered significant attention at the recently concluded sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which has evolved into a platform facilitating connections between the local and global healthcare sectors.
Since 2021, the medical exhibition area of the CIIE has featured an innovation incubation zone, bringing together stakeholders from government, investment circles, and industry. The goal is to expedite the adoption of innovative drugs by Chinese patients, support local research and development institutions in participating in international events, and keep abreast of the latest global technologies.
James Deng, the Global Senior Vice President of BD, a US-based medical technology company, and General Manager of BD Greater China, noted the concept of reverse innovation. He cited an example where a medical device proposed by Chinese doctors for improving liver surgery procedures gained attention globally. The device, derived from Chinese surgeons’ expertise, was developed and manufactured in China before being sold in international markets, particularly in the United States.
Deng emphasized the value of such innovations, especially for patients in rural areas, where health recovery can positively impact entire families. BD recently inaugurated its BD Greater China Innovation Center in Hangzhou, focusing on enhancing research and development capabilities.
Siemens Healthineers, a German healthcare equipment provider, highlighted the localization of its supply chain in China over the past 30 years, including core components like CT and X-ray detectors. Wang Hao, President of Siemens Healthineers Greater China, emphasized the integration of medical and engineering expertise as the future direction for China’s medical innovation.
The acceleration of approvals for medicines and medical equipment in China over the past five years has attracted global companies. AstraZeneca, for instance, aims to support local Chinese enterprises in going global, fostering innovation from both the East and West. Leon Wang, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca, highlighted international collaborations, with the company leading Chinese biotech enterprises to various countries, including Brazil.
At the sixth CIIE, AstraZeneca’s Brazilian unit signed a cooperation deal with a subsidiary of Shandong province-based Luye Pharma and Brazil’s Herbarium to promote the registration and commercialization of a Chinese company’s capsule used to regulate blood lipid levels in Brazil.
Prepackaged Food Enterprises Set Sights on International Growth

Shandong, Henan, and Guangdong Lead in Business Numbers, Present Significant Export Opportunities
In early October, employees at Shandong Lufeng Group’s food processing workshop were actively engaged in transforming chicken into convenient prepackaged meals, slated for distribution both domestically across China and in various overseas markets.
Situated in Anqiu, Shandong province, Lufeng specializes in manufacturing over 600 types of premade food products, spanning frozen meats, cooked meats, frozen vegetables, canned goods, flour-based foods, seasonings, and salted vegetables. These products have successfully reached consumers in more than 10 countries and regions, including Japan and Germany.
Having recently participated in food expos in Canada and Germany, where its offerings generated considerable interest, Lufeng is eager to further expand its global footprint, as conveyed by Yun Shujie, the deputy general manager of Lufeng. “Numerous individuals have expressed keen interest in our products, signaling the potential for securing additional overseas orders,” he remarked, noting that international sales accounted for half of the company’s total sales in the previous year.
China holds a unique advantage in developing its premade food industry due to the rich variety of agricultural products, providing abundant raw materials for the sector, according to Yun. An increasing number of Chinese premade food companies are strategically positioning themselves for global expansion, focusing on producing a diverse array of high-quality products to meet the evolving preferences of consumers worldwide.
The premade food industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with the number of such companies surpassing 70,000 in 2022, as indicated in a white paper unveiled during the International Pre-cooked Food Industry Conference in Foshan, Guangdong province, in March. Shandong, Henan, and Guangdong emerge as the top three provinces in terms of the quantity of premade food companies.
A Variety of Flavors
In accordance with standards set by the China Cuisine Association, premade food can be categorized into four forms — ready to eat, ready to heat, ready to cook, and ready to mix.
Yun noted that varying regional food preferences drive the diversity in premade food offerings, and the abundance of agricultural products allows companies in this sector to meet those specific demands.
For example, Shandong’s wealth of agricultural resources has provided a robust foundation for the province’s companies to produce a wide array of premade foods. Shandong consistently ranks among the top in the country for the production of grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy products, and aquatic products. The province has also held the top spot in agricultural product exports for 24 consecutive years, with deep-processing products accounting for 47.7 percent of these exports.
More than 8,500 companies in Shandong are engaged in premade food production, as per data from the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
To develop customized foods, Lufeng employs over 10 researchers, some specializing in food nutrition engineering.
Other companies are also prioritizing diverse tastes in their offerings. Shandong Nichirei Foods Co Ltd, a Yantai-based joint venture, introduced frozen imagawayaki, a type of Japanese pancake, based on the preferences observed among roadside vendors in Japan. The company plans to expand its flavor options by introducing peach, milk tea, and mango in the next phase.
In Dalian, a coastal city near Shandong, premade aquatic food products, particularly seaweed salad, are gaining popularity in overseas markets. Dalian Gaishi Food Co, specializing in prepared appetizers like seaweed, mushrooms, and seafood salad, has exported its products to over 60 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Gaishi’s exports to Belt and Road Initiative countries and regions last year exceeded 30 million yuan ($4.1 million), constituting about 16 percent of its total export value. The company also invested in market research and the development of foods aligned with consumer demand, spending 5.87 million yuan in the previous year.
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