Wang Jianhua, deputy general manager of Xianhe Machinery Trade Co, an agent firm for leading machine tool maker US Haas Automation, said the third China Import Expo that starts in Kunshan tomorrow is an "ideal bridge" to the Chinese market.

"After meeting big buyers at the CIE, Haas' sales value in Kunshan hit 120 million yuan ($19.7 million) in 2013, while the figure was only 10 million yuan in 2011," he said.

As he marveled at the growth, he booked 20 exhibition booths this year to display the full lineup of Haas products that account for 45 percent of the digitally controlled machine tools made in the US.