Well-known brands to be showcased at first China International Consumer Products Expo

Many well-known domestic and foreign brands will be showcased at the first China International Consumer Products Expo in south China's Hainan Province in May, and officials say the event marks a new stage in the country's drive to further open up its economy.

Under the theme "An Open China, A Pioneering Hainan," the first China International Consumer Products Expo started its 100-day countdown on Tuesday. 

Officials say the expo focuses on building Hainan into an international center of tourism and consumption and aims to boost global consumption growth. 

"In only 100 days, the first Hainan Expo will open its doors. This will be an important milestone for China, Hainan Province and international business because the Hainan Expo marks another great step in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and a new step in China's integration into the global economic system," said Swiss Ambassador to China Bernardino Regazzoni.

Officials say the exhibition will exceed 70,000 square meters, with overseas brands accounting for nearly 80 percent of the total. 

Switzerland will serve as the guest of honor, and more than 10 countries and regions, including Japan and Germany, will participate. 

"We hope these global consumer products can make good use of the Hainan Free Trade Port platform to share in this opportunity. Likewise, we also expect our domestic products to go global via the consumer expo platform," said Han Shengjian, director of Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development.

The Chinese government published its plan for the Hainan Free Trade Port in June last year. Its aim is to build the southern island province into a world-class free trade port with real global influence.