First CIIE 2026 Exhibits Depart Austria for Shanghai
The first batch of exhibits for the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has departed from Linz, Austria, marking the beginning of the logistics phase for the major trade event scheduled for November in Shanghai. The shipment, which left on August 7, belongs to WFL Millturn Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, a professional machine tool manufacturer headquartered in Linz, according to Xinhua News.
A Milestone for the Annual Trade Expo
The CIIE, the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to imports, was designed to expand China’s opening up and turn its vast market into a shared opportunity for the world. The 9th edition is scheduled for November 5-10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with professional visitor registration and the Online Matchmaking Platform officially launched on May 28, 2026, according to the CIIE Bureau.
The departure of the first batch of exhibits signals that preparations for this year’s expo are well underway.
WFL’s Asian Debut
WFL Millturn Technologies is a leading supplier in the field of complete machining and the only manufacturer worldwide that concentrates exclusively on the production of multifunctional complete machining centers. Founded in 1993, the company employs approximately 500 people worldwide with an export ratio exceeding 95%, and maintains sites in Austria, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the USA, Brazil, China, and India, according to the company’s official profile.
The shipment includes the brand-new M35-G MILLTURN, a turning-boring-milling center designed for complete machining of complex components, marking its debut in Asia. The exhibits will first be transported by land to Hamburg, Germany, and then shipped by sea to Shanghai.
WFL’s products are widely used in the energy, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries. The company has been operating in the Chinese market for more than 20 years.
A Vote of Confidence in the Chinese Market
WFL Managing Director Stefan Hackl expressed strong confidence in the company’s prospects in China. “I don’t see any good reason why we will not be successful in China in the upcoming decades,” Hackl said, as reported by China Economic Net.
Hackl noted that WFL’s deep engagement with the Chinese market over more than two decades has given the company a clear understanding of China’s important position in the global manufacturing landscape. The decision to bring equipment to the CIIE reflects a desire to showcase products on this world-class stage while helping more Chinese enterprises break through core technological bottlenecks in complex component processing.
A Landmark Year for China-Austria Relations
2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, adding symbolic significance to WFL’s participation. The relationship has been characterized by deepening economic and trade cooperation, with high-level exchanges throughout the year. In March, Markus Staudt, President of the Austrian National Council, visited the Mutianyu Great Wall as part of the anniversary celebrations, as documented by the Mutianyu Great Wall official website.
WFL hopes to leverage the CIIE to capitalize on the deepening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and seize opportunities in the Chinese market.
Record-Breaking Momentum
The 8th CIIE, held in November 2025, set multiple records that underscore the expo’s growing global influence. According to the CIIE Bureau’s official report, the 8th edition recorded 922,000 visits (up 8.2% year-on-year), with tentative deals worth approximately $83.49 billion (up 4.4%). The Enterprise & Business Exhibition spanned over 367,000 square meters and brought together 4,108 companies from 138 countries and regions.
The Shanghai government also confirmed these record-breaking results, noting that companies had already signed up for about 80,000 square meters of exhibition area for the 9th CIIE as of November 2025, according to Shanghai’s official English portal.
What to Watch For
As the first exhibits make their way from Austria to Shanghai, attention now turns to the November event. With record participation expected and companies from around the world reserving exhibition space months in advance, the 9th CIIE is poised to build on the momentum of its predecessors. The expo continues to serve as a key platform for international trade and economic cooperation, turning China’s vast market into a shared opportunity for businesses worldwide.
For WFL and other exhibitors, the journey from Linz to Shanghai represents more than just a logistics milestone—it is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Chinese market and the CIIE’s role in facilitating global trade connections.