LVMH, the world's biggest luxury goods company, on Monday announced its participation, for the first time, in the second edition of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to express "a clear testimony of our confidence in the long-term vigor of the Chinese economy and our friendship for its people," said Antoine Arnault, the group's director.
During a ceremony bringing together delegations from the world's largest luxury goods maker and Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, the French company stressed it "is committed to participate in the second China International Imports Expo in Shanghai, next November."
"The LVMH Group has always had admiration and affection for your country. There has been so many initiatives that we have taken in China that we can barely count them anymore," Arnault told the gathering.
"...It is in this spirit, with our great commitment to China that we seize the opportunity of the visit to France of the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. XI Jiping at the invitation of the President of the Republic Mr. Emmanuel Macron, to sign this agreement," he said.
In a 350-square meter stand, LVMH would present a selection of its iconic houses in China with their respective history and news, activities and products as the group, home to labels like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Moet &Chandon champagne, eyes "to pay homage to the CIIE with a presence commensurate with the event's importance and reputation in China."
In order "to pay tribute to the specific link that connects Chinese consumers to the LVMH Group," high-profile events, including conferences, talks, master classes, product launches would be planned during the five-day exhibition, the company added in a press release.
Inaugurated in 2018, the CIIE offers opportunities to foreign companies to discover local market and facilitates to them the access to domestic businesses in a bid to develop their economic and commercial partnerships.
The first edition drew 1 million visitors from China and abroad, in addition to 140 official delegations, and international organizations representing 172 countries. Of the top 500 global corporations, 222 took part in the CIIE.
This year's session, which marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Paris, will take place from Nov. 5-10, 2019, at the Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center.
"The participation of the LVMH Group and its houses was desired both by the Chinese and French authorities and it will reinforce the success of this event and the role that France wants to play," the statement added.
In 1990, LVMH opened its first boutique in China as it was "among the first to believe in the miracle of modern development of China." Currently, the group runs a network of more than 550 shops with more than 15,000 employees.
