As a journalist dedicated to narrating China to the world, I took my time navigating the bustling halls of the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) -- the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports.

Although it concluded on Monday, I haven't yet been able to forget the feeling of its atmosphere: The air buzzed with conversations in countless languages, and colorful exhibition booths stretched as far as the eye could see.

Exhibitors I interviewed -- whether from the Global South or representing huge multinationals -- praised this platform as a global marketplace to reap fruitful outcomes. I share this sentiment as well, having collected a wealth of aspirational and heartwarming stories over my six days of coverage.

The previous seven editions of the CIIE cumulatively generated more than 500 billion U.S. dollars in intended transactions, and facilitated targeted matchmaking activities across China for over 1,100 foreign-funded enterprises and investment promotion agencies. These figures underscore the expo's role as a promoter of global trade.

Strolling around the four-leaf-clover-shaped venue, the sounds of business talks and the warm smiles exchanged between strangers made me realize that the story of the CIIE has never been a simple one of buying and selling.

Through firm handshakes, in-depth discussions and shared visions for the future, the expo transforms "you" and "me" into "us," fostering win-win cooperation and people-to-people bonds.

I saw the ambition of the Global South firsthand: Exhibitors from these countries spoke with passion about their quest to access the world's second-largest import market and integrate deeper into global value chains.

Thanks to the CIIE, the unique aroma of Zambian wild honey now graces the breakfast tables of Shanghai households. And Peruvian alpaca plush toys, whose cloud-like softness has made them a favorite among Chinese families over the years, have driven local income growth in Latin America.

These are not just trade success stories but a testament to how the CIIE lifts people up.

During this year's expo, in the national pavilion of Nigeria, which is this CIIE's guest country of honor, Mustapha Saidu showed me around its chocolate, leather products, and a dozen ore samples, among other exhibits. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council official has attended the CIIE five times. He told me that Africa's largest economy is ramping up its processing capabilities to unleash the potential of resources, and China is an ideal partner.

"The Chinese market is crucial for Nigeria to sell our products, expand production and create jobs, driving our industrial development," he told me. "This stimulates our momentum rather than us purely receiving aid."

I also noted that China, in turn, needs partners like Nigeria. China's 1.4 billion people have developed more segmented and diverse consumption preferences. Nigerian products, from agricultural goods to handcrafted items, are helping meet this demand. Over 10 commercial deals signed between the two sides during the seventh CIIE are proof of this mutual benefit.

This year, China has done even more to share its market dividends, extending zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

For multinational corporations, the CIIE is both a showcase and a window through which they can understand the Chinese market. What sets successful multinationals apart from the pack is their commitment to continuous improvement paired with a willingness to listen to Chinese and international consumers, suppliers and distributors.

The facts speak for themselves: This year's expo attracted 290 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, and 180 enterprises attended as full participants for their eighth year.

This year, German water-treatment device maker SYR, which has exhibited at every CIIE since the expo's inception, showcased two new tank water purification models. Tobias Ramrath, SYR's international sales director, explained that the company's products were designed in consideration of Chinese consumers' pursuit of smart features, health benefits and durability.

"We optimized virus sterilization and heavy-metal removal functions," he said, showing me the devices. He added that SYR also adopted AI technology in its water softener to automatically identify users' habits and precisely adjust water hardness.

SYR first entered the Chinese market in 1998, but for years, it focused mainly on end-users and lacked opportunities to connect with business clients. The second CIIE in 2019 marked a turning point, when the company secured water-treatment deals for construction projects in Shanghai.

SYR's business in China has since evolved from a household products company to a comprehensive solutions provider serving the industrial, medical and construction sectors.

In 2023, the company took another big step, investing 50 million yuan (about 7 million U.S. dollars) to build its first production line in east China's Zhejiang Province. SYR has also joined China's rural revitalization efforts, donating water softeners to students in rural areas and creating jobs for locals in Xinjiang and Yunnan in western China.

Beyond driving domestic development, the expo's impact also helps to foster a more connected global business ecosystem.

This year's CIIE showcased 461 new products, technologies and services. From Panasonic's AI-integrated washing machine to global pharmaceutical giants' innovative drugs, many of these recent launches are the result of collaboration between multinationals and their Chinese partners. Developed locally, they now serve both the Chinese and global markets.

This is the magic of the CIIE. As a global public good, it enables multinational corporations to evolve from exhibitors to investors. And, even more importantly, it demonstrates social responsibility, which allows China and the world to thrive.

A single flower does not make spring; One hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden. China is a staunch advocate for multilateralism, and the CIIE is the epitome of China's journey toward an inclusive economic globalization.

As the sun set over the four-leaf-clover venue on the last day of the exhibition, authorities announced that the eighth CIIE had resulted in 83.49 billion U.S. dollars in one-year intended deals -- up 4.4 percent from the previous edition and hitting a new high.

I walked around the stalls and booths one last time and asked my interviewees how they were feeling about their time there. Some foreign enterprises told me that they had established more connections and signed new contracts.

Cheerfully, some small business owners told me that they would be leaving "empty-handed." Uganda coffee exhibitor Wing Ou told me that this was because they had completely sold out their inventory and had almost nothing to repack and take home.