The 2014 China Import Expo (CIE) will kick off at dual venues, the Kunshan Convention and Exhibition Center and Huaqiao International Expo Center.

The Huaqiao International Expo Center will be the venue for the metal working and automation sector, one of the four main exhibition sectors of the CIE in 2014. The other three sectors -- environmental protection and new materials, brand consumer goods and civil aviation equipment -- will be exhibited in Huaqiao starting 2015. The Huaqiao International Expo Center will be the only venue for the CIE from then on.

As China's first national professional import expo approved by the State Council, the CIE is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government.

A total of 602 enterprises from 41 countries took part in the 2013 CIE, including 36 Fortune 500 firms. The 2014 CIE is scheduled from May 14 to 17.