A girl about to copy a self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh at the Dutch Food Festival at Changning Raffles City mall.

ChangningDistrict launched a Dutch Food Festival on Wednesday as one of the warm-up events for the 3rd China International Import Expo in November.

Products from the Netherlands are being exhibited and sold at the central bazaar ofChangningRaffles City mall nearZhongshanPark during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday through October 8.

It is the fourth festival featuring foreign produce arranged byChangning’sCommission of Commerce to offer CIIE exhibits to local residents, the district government said. Food weeks and festivals for South Korean, Italian and French produce have been held inthe districtin cooperation withAlibaba'sfresh food and grocery marketFreshippo.

Changninghas attracted 14 overseas companies participating in the 3rd CIIE to start businesses in the district. Nearly 40 companies in Changning are to exhibit at the expo, more than in previous years, said WangLan, Changning’s director.

A Dutch cheese product entering the Chinese market for the first time is promoted online.

The Dutch dairy brandFrieslandCampina introduced its Dutch Lady cheese balls to the Chinese market for the first time at the food festival on Wednesday.

“Changningwill host more innovative offline experiences and online livestreameventsto attract more CIIE products to enter the local market and benefit local consumers,” Wang said.

The district launched an online new economy industry park and the Shanghai Live StreamingEcommerceAlliance on Tuesday that Wang said will serve the district’s ambition.

Meanwhile, an international products exhibition and trade street will released on historicYuyuanRoad to further serve CIIE participants along with innovation parks and incubators for small-and-medium size enterprises, Wang said.

The 3rd CIIE will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center from November 5 to 10.

Visitors taste Dutch food at Changning Raffles City mall.