Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the third China International Import Expo will be held as usual in November, with bigger exhibition and new sections, according to the organizer.

Sun Chenghai, deputy director of CIIE Bureau, said at a news conference on Friday that the bureau has overcome the difficulties posed by the pandemic and the preparations have been underway smoothly.

Companies have shown enthusiasm and the exhibition area has reached its goal of 360,000 square meters, an increase of 20 percent compared with the previous expo, Sun said.

The average exhibition area for Fortune 500 companies participating in the expo has risen by 14 percent, he said.

Four new sections, public health, new energy and environment protection, smart transportation and sports, will be set up in the exhibition.

Based on data from the two previous expos, the bureau has sent out invitations to 40,000 domestic companies, and organized nine road shows across the country to reach more buyers to come to the expo, Sun said.

Zhu Yi, deputy director of Shanghai Commission of Commerce, said the Shanghai have established four buyer alliances and 18 trade missions to participate in the expo.