* The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, opened in Shanghai on Wednesday, showcasing China's firm commitment to global cooperation, which injects much-needed certainty and stability into the global economy.

* According to Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping, China has been the world's second-largest import market for 16 consecutive years, with its goods and service imports set to top 15 trillion U.S. dollars during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

* Today, the CIIE has evolved from a platform for showcasing results into a magnet for global resources and a hub for building substantial partnerships.

SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, opened in Shanghai on Wednesday, showcasing China's firm commitment to global cooperation, which injects much-needed certainty and stability into the global economy.

When delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged that the country will unswervingly promote high-standard opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, and advance comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the service industry's opening up.

The six-day event has set a new record in scale. It boasts participation from 155 countries, regions and international organizations, with 4,108 overseas exhibitors and a total exhibition area of over 430,000 square meters, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

"This is a clear vote of confidence in the Chinese economy and a show of strong support for the CIIE from all parties involved," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE Bureau.