Mr Xi said China would accelerate the exploration of free trade ports, further reduce tariffs, simplify customs procedures for foreign goods and accelerate the development of cross-border e-commerce. He promised tougher penalties for intellectual property theft, a key concern of the Trump administration, and pledged to open up the country's education and medical care sectors.

While Mr Xi's most important speech since April largely reiterated previously flagged policies without a lot of new detail, observers said the rhetoric suggested Beijing was serious about opening trade barriers as its economy slowed. The United States has boycotted the massive trade show, which is being being held amid tight security.

'Encouraging development'

"I particularly welcome President Xi's announcement of new market access improvements in the education and health sectors, which could provide further opportunities for Australian higher education providers and health services companies to operate in China," Mr Birmingham said of Mr Xi's speech.

The minister, who met China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan at a state dinner on Sunday night, also welcomed China's commitment to improve intellectual property protection.

"This has been a persistent irritation for foreign companies, including Australian companies over many years, and President Xi's signal in this regard is an encouraging development," Mr Birmingham said.

Australian exporters attending the expo said China was sending a clear message it would support cross-border e-commerce. "This is great news for Australian brands looking to the Chinese market for expansion, as it provides more certainty on continuing, stable policies and therefore more impetus to continue to invest in this strategic market," Justin Howden, the head of government affairs for H & H Group, which owns vitamins giant Swisse, said.

Importers are seeking more clarity around new regulations covering foreign imports sold online into China from January. Supermarket giant Coles said it hoped to ramp up its beef exports to China. No significant trade deals between Australia and China will be announced at the expo but companies will sign symbolic memorandums of understanding with Chinese customers.


Talking tough on trade

The US trade war has overshadowed Mr Xi's first import-themed trade fair and some economists noted there was no new detail about how Beijing planned to stimulate the economy as Washington's trade tariffs kick in. The Shanghai Composite Index was trading 1 per cent weaker on Monday.

However, his language on trade differences was stronger than the rhetoric from Chinese officials in recent weeks. He said countries should not always "whitewash themselves and blame others, or act like a flashlight that only exposes others but not themselves".

Mr Xi also flagged the establishment of a bourse on the Shanghai Stock Exchange for high-tech companies in a move to attract more Chinese tech firms to list in China rather than Hong Kong or the US.

He said China's imported goods would exceed $US30 trillion ($41.7 trillion) in the next 15 years and services imported in the same period to increase to $US10 trillion. He also talked tough on trade and said the rules of the World Trade Organisation should be upheld.

"Economic globalisation faces headwinds, and multilateralism and the system of free trade is under threat," he said. "The bilateral trading system should be defended."

Mr Xi said the Chinese economy was stable despite "some sign of challenges". He referred to the Chinese economy as an "ocean" that could withstand economic ripples. China's economic growth slowed to 6.5 per cent in the third quarter, its lowest level since the global financial crisis.