Businesses participating in the ongoing China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai are taking the opportunity to strengthen ties in the increasingly important Chinese market and promote their long-term business goals.

Michael Baumgartner, CEO of Gimborn, a German Pet food company, said that CIIE is a perfect platform to present his company and foster partnerships in China.

"The CIIE is astonishing," said the business executive. "We have been to many fairs here in China before, but nothing is comparable to this one."

As China's first state-level import expo, the event has attracted over 3,600 companies from 172 countries and regions to showcase their unique products and technological achievements hoping to match with around 400,000 domestic and foreign professional buyers.

Baumgartner told China.org.cn that Gimborn has now formally entered the China market through its partnership with a local company called 5Ctong, facilitated by the CIIE.

Aeromobil, a Slovakian company which has developed the world's first "flying car," is also eying the Chinese market and showcased a model at the expo that wowed the crowds.

"We see China as a large growing market," said Simon Bendrey, chief engineer of the company. He said that many Chinese people are very interested in air products, not just the normal ones, but also a lot of future products.

"So we are looking to develop this type of mode of transportation to give freedom of travel and movement to people around the world," he said.

William Midlej, a young Brazilian entrepreneur who is starting his business in China, is using the CIIE to introduce his brand to the market.

By setting up a booth with various kinds of coffee beans and coffee machine in the expo, he can introduce his high-quality Brazilian coffee to the increasingly cultured customers in China, he said.

Leon Wang, executive vice president of AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company, said the company is honored to participate in China's first import expo in Shanghai, which is an economic hub and frontline of continued reform and opening-up.

"The success of the CIIE showcases China's confidence and resolution to strengthen its cooperation with other countries," he said. "Moreover, it proves the country's strong willingness to share the benefits of economic growth, raising the world's expectations for a more open Chinese market."