The Xizang Pavilion at the 8th China International Import Expo. [Photo/Lhasa municipal bureau of commerce]

The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on Nov 5, with the Xizang Pavilion shining under the theme "China and Nepal Bound by Friendship, Driving Commerce Forward on the Silk Road".

The 216-square-meter pavilion gathers 13 enterprises and one industrial park, presenting over 100 exhibits in the form of physical displays, livestreams, and cultural performances.

Cultural exchange is a centerpiece of the event. Visitors enjoyed Tibetan dance, Dramyen music performance, thangka painting, and Tibetan calligraphy, alongside expanded cultural programs featuring 24 performances. A highlight is Kathmandu's traditional dance, marking the first time an international sister city has staged a cultural performance at the pavilion — a sign of deepening Sino-Nepal ties.

Designed around the concept of a friendship bridge, the pavilion is divided into five zones, from Lhasa specialties to a South Asia cross-border e-commerce park. Exhibits underscores growing cooperation between Lhasa and Kathmandu, supported by historical exchanges, complementary trade, and institutional mechanisms. In 2024, Xizang autonomous region's foreign trade reached 12.67 billion yuan ($1.77 billion), with trade with Nepal surging 84.8 percent to 5.12 billion yuan.

Beyond culture, the pavilion highlights Lhasa's digital and green development, including plans for a global digital economy forum and environmental projects. Business matchmaking has so far connected 13 exhibitors with 26 international buyers.