2025年4月14日

On April 7, Hugh Jones, Global CEO of RX, one of the world’s leading exhibition organisers, kicked off a two-week visit to China. During his visit, Hugh reaffirmed China’s position as a “core growth engine” for RX and pledged to align RX’s strategy with the country’s policies and plans to boost consumption and foster the growth of emerging industries of the future. His remarks reflect yet another vote of long-term confidence by a multinational enterprise in China’s economic prospects.

China: One of RX’s Top Three Global Markets

China has become one of RX’s largest global markets, driven by its vast market potential, openness, diverse industries, and stable economic growth. “We are highly confident in the Chinese market and will be making large-scale investments here,” said Hugh Jones. “We believe our business in China is poised for continued and accelerated growth.”

Mr. Hugh M. Jones IV (RX Global CEO) interviewed by media in Shanghai on April 7th

RX has operated in China for more than four decades, with offices established in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. With a global perspective and a deep commitment to localization, RX has forged strong partnerships across the country and built a robust exhibition portfolio covering nine major industry clusters: automotive, electronics, advanced manufacturing, medical and healthcare, beauty and cosmetics, lifestyle, printing and packaging, lifestyle, and metal processing and industrial materials. Each year, RX organizes dozens of trade shows across China, attracting over 40,000 domestic and international exhibitors and around 2 million trade visitors.

In industries such as healthcare and medical, baking, advanced manufacturing, and packaging, RX’s exhibitions in China are widely recognized as world-class. On April 8, Hugh Jones attended the opening ceremony of the 91st China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) in Shanghai. Known as a global bellwether for the medical industry, this year’s CMEF features nearly 5,000 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions. At the same time, RX is also hosting WEPACK 2025 - World Expo of Packaging Industry, a major global event that brings together 1,500 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors from around the world.

The 91st China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) was held in Shanghai on April 8-11

Supporting Domestic Consumption and Two-Way Opening-Up

RX’s growth in China is closely aligned with national development priorities. This year’s Report on the Work of the Government emphasized “boosting consumption and improving the effectiveness of investment, while expanding domestic demand in all respects.” RX has already responded with a range of large-scale B2B exhibitions in consumer goods sectors—including the China (Shenzhen) International Gifts and Home Products Fair, Bakery China, and China Daily-Use Articles Trade Fair—which create new consumption scenarios and foster synergistic growth between consumer upgrades and the exhibitions economy.

RX also actively supports China’s strategy of “dual circulation” and “high-standard opening-up.” Its exhibitions in China have become dynamic platforms for international exchange, drawing large numbers of overseas exhibitors, buyers, and importers—serving as a vivid example of “bringing in.” Meanwhile, RX China’s self-hosted outbound exhibitions and support for Chinese enterprises to exhibit at overseas RX events play a vital role in “going out.” Since 2023, RX has taken several of its flagship shows in China to emerging overseas markets. In 2025, RX will host three outbound exhibitions in Malaysia and Indonesia, covering medical and healthcare, packaging, and gifts. Among them is the debut of the ASEAN edition of the Global Health Industry Expo (tHIS ASEAN 2025), in June, which will act as a key springboard for Chinese companies to access new international markets.

Pursuing Sustainable Growth in Three Strategic Areas

Looking ahead, RX’s China growth strategy focuses on three priority areas:
emerging industries of future, long-term nurturing of flagship events, and building global industrial ecosystem platforms.

To support the development of emerging and future industries, RX closely follows trends in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, low-altitude economy, and biomedicine. At this year’s CMEF, a special zone for medical robotics was launched alongside an AI-powered healthcare event. The upcoming NEPCON China 2025 in Shanghai (opening on April 22) will feature Humanoid Robot CoreParts Disassembly Zone and Automotive Electronics & Low-Altitude-Flying Core Components Disassembly Zone—offering an in-depth look at the future of technology and industry on the show floor.

These initiatives reflect RX’s commitment to showcasing cutting-edge innovation and align with the Annual Report on China's Exhibition Industry 2024, which identified strategic emerging and future industries as key areas for exhibition focus.

“We are targeting China’s most promising sectors for our sustainable growth,” said Hugh Jones. “Our investments in China are multifaceted, including launching new shows, exploring strategic M&A opportunities, partnering with key industry players, and strengthening cooperation with local governments.”

Driving Innovation in Exhibitions Through Technology

While exhibitions serve as a launchpad for new technologies, new technologies are also reshaping the exhibition industry. RX leverages global digital products such as the Business Builder suite of tools to help exhibitors maximize their ROI and is actively exploring applications of artificial intelligence—from automating repetitive tasks so employees can focus on creative customer-facing work, to multilingual AI customer service and personalized communications.

World Expo of Packaging Industry (WEPACK 2025) was held in Shanghai on April 8-11

RX’s events provide a platform for companies of all sizes—both Chinese and international—to showcase innovations, foster partnerships, and drive trade. More than just connecting buyers and sellers, they help businesses access global opportunities and lay the foundation for future growth and value creation.

RX remains committed to connecting Chinese enterprises with international markets and supply chains and will continue to play a positive role in supporting China’s economic transformation.

About RX  

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people.  RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.

About RX Greater China

Boasting more than 40 years of rapid growth, RX has made its name as a well-respected and professional event organizer in Greater China. It owns a fleet of wholly owned companies and joint ventures that host more than dozens of high-caliber international trade shows across 9 key industry clusters, including Automotive Manufacturing, Electronics Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, Medical Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Beauty & Cosmetics, Lifestyle, Printing Converting & Packaging, Gift & Retail, Metalworking & Industrial Materials. In addition, RX Greater China has built a diversity of digital platforms. From brand promotion, innovation inspiration, people connection, leads generation to insights capturing and knowledge updating, we empower businesses to thrive throughout the year. www.rxglobal.com.cn

Register your interest in exhibiting or visiting the RX Greater China shows:

https://rxreedexhibitions.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Qa4ytN009nSsyG

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and territories and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors