A glimpse of Innovation Incubation Special Section at 8th CIIE – Xinhua

Report on the 8th China International Import Expo: Fostering Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in Shanghai on November 9, 2025, featured an Innovation Incubation Special Section dedicated to global startups and innovators. This section served as a critical platform for advancing multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing technological resources and cooperation opportunities. The innovations showcased demonstrated significant potential to contribute to global targets in health, industry, economic growth, and international partnerships.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

A primary focus of the exhibited technologies was the enhancement of public health and well-being. These innovations align directly with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• Advanced Medical Technology: Smart surgical and teleoperated robots were presented, promising to increase the precision and accessibility of medical procedures.
• Assistive and Rehabilitative Devices: Products such as exoskeletons and senior-care robots were displayed, designed to improve mobility and quality of life for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
• Personal Wellness Solutions: The expo featured wearable devices, including anti-motion sickness wristbands, and AI-powered emotional healing robots, addressing both physical and mental health.
• Biomedical Innovations: Exhibitors introduced advanced exosome products, highlighting progress in cellular-level therapeutic research.

Contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The Innovation Incubation Special Section acted as a catalyst for SDG 9 by fostering innovation and promoting the development of resilient and sustainable industrial practices.

1. Fostering Innovation: The platform connected global startups with resources and market opportunities, directly supporting the goal of building a robust innovation ecosystem.
2. Sustainable Industrialization: The exhibition of precision components and AI-powered digital solutions for mobile industries underscores a shift towards more efficient and technologically advanced industrial processes.
3. Building Resilient Infrastructure: Technologies like real-time AI facial translation and virtual interactive advertisement products contribute to building inclusive and effective communication and digital infrastructure.

Supporting Broader Development Goals: SDGs 8, 10, and 17

The expo’s framework and outcomes also support several other key SDGs, creating a multi-faceted impact on sustainable development.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By providing a venue for startups to secure partnerships and market access, the CIIE promotes entrepreneurship and the creation of high-value jobs in the technology sector.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Assistive technologies for the elderly and AI-driven translation services help reduce inequalities by empowering vulnerable groups and breaking down communication barriers.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The core mission of the Innovation Incubation Special Section is to facilitate global partnerships, uniting international talent and enterprises with the Chinese market to achieve shared development objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article showcases numerous technological innovations aimed at improving health and well-being. Specific examples include the “anti-motion sickness wristband,” “smart surgical robot,” “exoskeleton product,” “exosome products,” “AI-powered emotional healing robot,” and a “senior-care robot.” These products directly contribute to advancing healthcare services and improving quality of life.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The event, specifically the “Innovation Incubation Special Section,” is designed to support “global startups and talents.” By providing “cooperation opportunities to jointly explore and develop the Chinese market,” the expo fosters entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, which are key drivers of economic growth and job creation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• This is a central theme of the article. The entire expo section is dedicated to showcasing “technological innovation resources.” Products like “AI-powered digital solutions applied in mobile industries,” “precision components,” and “teleoperated robots” highlight advancements in industrial technology and innovation. The event itself acts as an infrastructure for fostering innovation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is an international event that brings together “global startups and talents.” This platform facilitates international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer, which are essential for achieving sustainable development. The article’s repeated emphasis on providing “cooperation opportunities” underscores the partnership aspect of the event.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services. The development and exhibition of technologies like the “smart surgical robot” and “exoskeleton product” aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The expo promotes this by showcasing a wide array of technological innovations from various sectors.
• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The “Innovation Incubation Special Section” for “global startups” is a direct implementation of this target by encouraging the growth of small enterprises.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation. The event’s purpose is to provide “technological innovation resources” and connect “talents,” directly supporting research and innovation.
• Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. By creating a platform for “global startups” to access the Chinese market and find cooperation opportunities, the expo supports technology development and dissemination.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The international nature of the CIIE, which gathers “global startups and talents,” is a clear example of such cooperation.
• Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of… technologies. The expo serves as a marketplace for the dissemination and potential transfer of the various technologies on display, from AI solutions to medical robots.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article is descriptive and does not provide quantitative data, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

Implied Indicators for SDG 3

• Number and variety of new health technologies showcased: The article lists several health-related innovations (e.g., “senior-care robot,” “exosome products,” “smart surgical robot”). Tracking the number and type of such products can indicate progress in health innovation.

Implied Indicators for SDG 8

• Number of participating startups and entrepreneurs: The focus on “global startups and talents” implies that their participation numbers are a key metric for the event’s success in fostering entrepreneurship.
• Number of cooperation agreements or partnerships formed: The stated goal of providing “cooperation opportunities” suggests that the number of partnerships established at the expo would be a direct indicator of its impact on economic growth.

Implied Indicators for SDG 9

• Diversity of technological innovations presented: The article highlights a range of technologies from AI and robotics to biotech. The breadth of these innovations serves as an indicator of progress in upgrading technological capabilities.
• Level of investment in R&D generated: By connecting startups with the market, the expo facilitates investment, which is a key indicator for enhancing scientific research (Target 9.5).

Implied Indicators for SDG 17

• Number of countries represented by participants: The reference to “global startups” implies that the geographic diversity of participants is a measure of international cooperation.
• Volume of international trade and technology transfer deals: As an “Import Expo,” a primary indicator of its success in fostering partnerships would be the value and volume of deals made, particularly those involving technology transfer.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: english.news.cn