President Xi Jinping on Monday met with representatives of foreign entrepreneurs attending the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, Xi said China is working with the international community to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde lauded here on Monday China's efforts in building "bridges" to achieve common prosperity with opening up and reform measures. In her speech at the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, Lagarde associated the Lupu Bridge she crossed the previous night in the coastal city with three other "bridges" that China has built or is building now.

President Xi Jinping announced a number of measures on Monday, including lowered tariffs and eased market access, intended to promote common growth and build an open global economy.

Ensuring that their exhibits shine at the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai tops the agenda for foreign executives coming to the city. But Jerry Liu, China president of Cargill, has another important mission. He will sign a contract for the US agricultural conglomerate to participate in the next expo.

Experts on Monday called for enhanced efforts to revitalize free trade and optimize the investment environment to inject sustained energy into the world economy. The ongoing China International Import Expo, or CIIE, they said, is a powerful tool for trade facilitation and will create fresh momentum.

China will capitalize on the role of Shanghai and surrounding areas in opening up, President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo in the city on Monday.