Two Nobel laureates have hailed the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as a great platform to promote international exchanges and free trade. The opening ceremony of the eighth CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum was held in Shanghai on Wednesday. In an recent interview with China Media Group, Michael Levitt, 2013 Nobel laureate in chemistry, said both the expo and the forum bring people together for more exchanges. Thomas J. Sargent, 2011 Nobel laureate in economics, said the event, which promotes free trade, will make all people better off. Held annually in Shanghai since 2018, the CIIE is the world's first import-themed national-level exhibition. The eighth CIIE is scheduled to run through Nov 10, featuring 4,108 overseas exhibitors from 155 countries, regions and international organizations, with the total exhibition area exceeding 430,000 square meters. Shotlist: Shanghai, China - Recent: 1. Various of venue of eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE); 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Levitt, winner of 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (partially overlaid with shots 3-4): "This particular event, both of the events, has very, very high profile. Everyone knows about it. Something which has high profile inside China but also outside China. And with the high profile, it's like a big magnet that will attract many, many people. The venue is quite incredible. I was there last year, and I will be there again this year. I think it's amazing and I think it brings people together. It's focusing more on economy, export economy, import economy, and so on. But I think there are many other events for science, but I do believe that it's very important. And I personally am interested in economy, I'm interested in many areas. So I'm looking forward very much, again for diversity, to hearing things I don't know, to meeting people not in my field." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 3. Various of CIIE venue; 4. Various of exhibits, exhibition booths, visitors [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 5. Various of meeting hall for 8th Hongqiao Economic Forum; 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas J. Sargent, winner of 2011 Nobel Prize in Economics (starting with shot 5/partially overlaid with shots 7-8/ending with shots 9-10): "You could tell I'm a free trader. I think it's wonderful. Anything that promotes and teaches these ideas about free trade, I think it makes us all better off. So when I come to a forum like this, I listen and watch, try to learn sources of the kind of miracles that I've seen while following economic news, and mostly, interacting with economists and students that I know who are from China." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 7. Board showing information of CIIE; 8. Various of CIIE venue, flags [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 9. Exhibition booths; 10. CIIE venue entrance. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]