SHANGHAI -- The newest edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum opened on Tuesday in Shanghai.

Running from Nov 5 to 10, the 7th CIIE has attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. It also sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event.

More than 400 new products, new technologies and new services are set to be unveiled during the expo, which experts believe is a strong indication of global companies' confidence in the Chinese market and their commitment to further development in China despite a sluggish global economic recovery.