(Yicai Global) Nov. 6 -- The second China International Import Expo demonstrates that China is fully promoting multilateralism and free trade, according to the China president of multinational financial services firm Standard Chartered Bank.

"We are optimistic about China's development in the long run," Zhang Xiaolei said in a press release yesterday. The country's continued efforts to reform and open-up as well as its backing of an open world economy have made it the British lender's most important strategic market, she added.

The London-based bank has been an early supporter of the expo. This year it has a display area of over 100 square meters featuring cross-border services, fintech and future business models using multimedia and digital means.

Standard Chartered initiated an Import Trade Partnership Program at the first CIIE last year to assist small companies in international trade, she said. This year it has introduced a Cross-Border Trade Omni-Accelerator innovative financial solution to help firms overcome difficulties in financing stock, capital revitalization and foreign exchange risk control in cross-border trade.

China's Belt and Road Initiative, Greater Bay Area plan, Chinese yuan internationalization, opening-up of the bond market, cross-border trade, sustainable finance and its booming small and medium-sized companies have all offered huge opportunities for Standard Chartered, Zhang added.