Top executives weigh in at CIIE (V)

A1: This is the second year that Edwards Lifesciences participates in CIIE, and we are very proud to again have the opportunity to participate in this important forum. The huge platform and powerful spillover effect of the CIIE have brought unlimited opportunities for companies like Edwards to share more about our advanced technologies for Chinese patients, effectively promoting the rapid conversion of research results into products and therapies. Edwards will take advantage of the CIIE to accelerate the launch of our innovative products in China and the collaboration with Chinese partners for healthcare innovation, to play an important role in protecting the health of Chinese people.

A2: As an important window for promoting the creation of a domestic-international dual-circulation system in China and the country's high-quality development, the CIIE will further unleash China's opportunities and demonstrate the huge potential of the Chinese market to foreign investors, including Edwards. This makes Edwards even more determined to deepen our operations in China. Edwards is looking forward to sharing the new opportunities brought by China's economic recovery and growth with other global companies in a post-pandemic era.

A3: China has become the largest exporter and the second-largest importer in the world, and its influence on the global economy is becoming bigger and bigger. As the world's first national exhibition devoted to imports, the CIIE has become a window for the outside world to see China's opening-up. The CIIE enables the world to know China better and learn the beautiful stories of China's opening-up, and eventually helps to promote global economic and trade prosperity.

A4: Valve industry in the China market is huge. The prevalence of valvular heart disease in China is 3.8 percent, and about 25 million people are affected by valvular heart disease. Meanwhile, because of people's low awareness for valvular heart disease and the limited treatments available, only about 1 percent to ~2 percent of patients with valvular heart disease in China have a chance to receive surgical treatment. Edwards has been dedicated to improving the accessibility of medical devices and technologies to Chinese patients with structural heart disease in multiple ways and fulfilling our long-term commitment to China.

A5: Edwards is confident about the future improvement of higher-level opening-up, because China is already in a new situation today where the country is open to the outside world across the board, and also has a world-class business environment. It is one of the most attractive countries for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the world. China's increasingly open investment environment and constantly improving business environment help to create a broad space and good opportunities for MNCs in China. Edwards will continue to expand local investments, enhance local operations, and build closer ties with the Chinese market.

A6: According to China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the long-range goals through 2035, Edwards can see the bright prospects of China's high-level opening-up and in-depth interaction with the world. We believe that China, which is speeding up the construction of a new development pattern, will continue to work as a responsible major power to promote global common development. We have confidence that the Chinese government will fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises like Edwards and contribute China's power to boost the global economy. We recognize the Chinese government's efforts to broaden reforms, and we would encourage continuing down that pathway to recognize the value of clinicians and, ultimately, make sure that the investments in healthcare are really being delivered to the care of patients.

A7: Persisting in holding the CIIE is a significant measure to ensure high-level opening up. It's already the fourth consecutive year for China to hold the CIIE. As a major move of China to drive a new round of high-level opening up, the CIIE this year continues to demonstrate China's unlimited potential, vibrant economy and growth momentum to the outside world. Foreign companies including Edwards can take advantage of CIIE to bring their globally leading innovative products and technologies to China at an accelerated speed while seeking to collaborate with various stakeholders for innovation, benefiting the Chinese consumer.

A8: The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Over the past 20 years, we've really felt China's accelerated globalization after its WTO entry as well as its effort to further open up and the outcome of that effort. In the future, Edwards is going to grow with China's healthcare industry in close synchronization with the progress of healthcare in China and alliance with China's opening-up.