(Yicai) Nov. 11 -- US firms FedEx and Otis showcased their giant panda transportation services and record-breaking elevator technology at the ninth China International Import Expo, seeking to tap growing opportunities from Chinese companies' overseas expansion and urban renewal.

FedEx is strengthening its international logistics network to support Chinese companies going global, while Otis is targeting demand for elevator upgrades in aging buildings. Houston-based ConocoPhillips is also seeking to deepen local partnerships through its energy technologies, Yicai learned at the expo that concluded in Shanghai yesterday.

Panda-themed displays featured prominently at FedEx's booth, reflecting the company's long history of transporting giant pandas between China and other countries.

Zoo Atlanta opened its Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove last week, introducing giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to the US public. The two pandas traveled from Chengdu to Atlanta aboard a dedicated FedEx Panda Express charter flight in September, accompanied by supplies including bamboo and drinking water.

Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China, said that logistics is about more than transporting goods; it also connects people and creates opportunities. FedEx has transported 23 giant pandas between China and other countries since 2000. Each journey requires a customized transportation plan tailored to the animal's habits, including temperature control, supplies, and emergency arrangements, she added.

As Chinese companies increasingly shift from exporting products to building global brands, FedEx has been expanding its international network, adding flights between China and Mexico and strengthening capacity in Southeast Asia and Latin America to support their overseas operations.

Tapping China's Urban Renewal Opportunities

Otis is also seeking to capitalize on China's infrastructure needs, from record-breaking skyscrapers to upgrades of aging residential elevators.

During the CIIE, the company announced that two elevators it built for Tianjin's 117 Tower had earned a Guinness World Records title for the tallest elevators in a building, with a travel height of 597.2 meters.

The Tianjin 117 Tower project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The building will have China's highest occupied floor, with the record-breaking elevators providing direct access to its observation deck.

Beyond landmark construction projects, Otis is targeting the replacement and modernization of aging elevators. More than 900,000 elevators in China have been in service for over 15 years, most of them in residential buildings.

The company has introduced an accessible elevator solution designed to accommodate wheelchair users, support advance ride reservations, and monitor potential safety risks using artificial intelligence-powered cameras.

ConocoPhillips, meanwhile, showcased its patented natural gas liquefaction technology.

Markel Hübinette, president of ConocoPhillips China, said the CIIE serves not only as a platform for showcasing technologies but also as a catalyst for deepening local cooperation and exploring new business opportunities.

Editor: Emmi Laine