SHANGHAI, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) concluded in Shanghai on Tuesday, with the value of one-year intended deals reaching a record high of 85.45 billion U.S. dollars, up 2.3 percent from the previous edition, according to Xiao Lu, an official with the CIIE Bureau.

This year's expo attracted a record 4,142 exhibitors, and its business exhibition area reached a record 370,000 square meters. For the first time, the number of participating Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders exceeded 300.

The six-day event also featured a record 485 exhibits making their global, Asian or China debuts, up from 461 last year.

U.S. exhibitors had the largest exhibition area among participating countries and regions for the eighth consecutive year, occupying over 50,000 square meters. Free exhibition space for the least developed countries increased by 17 percent this year, enabling broader participation.

First held in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE is part of China's efforts to expand imports and offers global businesses a platform to showcase products and connect with Chinese buyers.

Among the technological highlights this year, U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm showcased the world's first 6G terminal prototype outside a laboratory setting, while German engineering giant Bosch made the global debut of an AI-powered home climate control system that optimizes temperature and energy use.

Consumer innovations also drew attention. Canadian sportswear brand lululemon made the global debut of a running vest designed for cold weather, set to launch first in China on Dec. 8.

The CIIE also served as a platform for emerging innovators. This year's innovation incubation section featured 633 projects from nearly 40 countries and regions, up almost 20 percent from the previous edition.

The ninth expo brought together 51 trade delegations and over 700 sub-delegations, while the number of registered visitors exceeded 470,000, surpassing last year's figure, according to Xiao.

China has remained the world's second-largest import market for 17 consecutive years, importing more than 90 trillion yuan (about 13.4 trillion U.S. dollars) worth of goods between 2021 and 2025.

The country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) calls for expanding imports and continuing to host the CIIE, underscoring the expo's role in China's broader opening-up agenda.

With the CIIE set to hold its 10th edition next year, preparations are already underway, with 143 companies and institutions signed up for the 2027 edition and over 100,000 square meters of exhibition space already booked, according to the bureau.