China provides a dynamic digital trade cooperation platform through international exhibition

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) — The third Global Digital Commerce Expo (GDTE), which ended on Sunday, has become a vibrant platform to foster global digital trade partnerships and thus sustainable growth.

More than 1,500 enterprises, including more than 300 international ones, participated in the fair, which took place in Hangzhou, a city known for its combination of ancient charm and modern innovation.

Attendees experienced cutting-edge innovations such as AI-powered robots and hydrogen-powered drones, and were introduced to over 400 new products and technologies. VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Kazakh Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev highlighted China’s role as a global leader in e-commerce and digital technologies, noting that China is accelerating the digital transformation of markets around the world.

In a written interview with Xinhua, Madiyev said China’s experience offers valuable insights for countries in the early stages of developing their digital markets, supporting global growth and helping reduce digital inequality. He cited Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve telecommunications and cybersecurity, learning from China.

In addition to cutting-edge technology, China’s e-commerce experience also provides an example for countries looking to capitalize on the rapid development of digital commerce.

Kilimall, an e-commerce platform founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Africa in 2014, has become one of the most popular shopping sites among Africans. It has created approximately 10,000 local jobs in logistics, courier services, customer service and regional sales.

China-Africa digital economy cooperation “represents a new model of economic cooperation that creates tangible value for businesses and people on both sides,” said Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Ambassador to China.

Digitization is a technological leap and a key driver of the future development of countries and enterprises, said Jean Louis Robinson, Madagascar’s ambassador to China. “We want to work closely with Chinese companies to benefit from China’s advanced experience in the digital economy and promote sustainable development in Madagascar,” he added. HUGE POSSIBILITIES

China’s advanced digital economy and enormous market scale create enormous opportunities for the world, experts and trade fair participants said.

“For us, China is not just a sales market,” said Lyu Feng, head of public relations at Yokogawa China, a Japanese electric company. He highlighted China’s vast emerging industry, strong market demand and numerous high-tech companies.

Lyu added that the company emphasizes cooperation with Chinese enterprises to explore new opportunities, especially in digital transformation and carbon management in the manufacturing sector.

Zhu Lili, vice president of AstraZeneca China, said the pharmaceutical giant has “high confidence” in the Chinese market and its innovation ecosystem. She highlighted the company’s goal to work with more local companies to explore the use of digital technologies in healthcare, which will contribute to sustainable, high-quality growth in both the healthcare industry and the broader economy.

According to customs data, in the first half of 2024, China’s cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 1.22 trillion yuan (about $170 billion), up 10.5% year-on-year.

Kazakhstan has opened national pavilions on Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba and JD.com to promote products such as milk powder, safflower oil and honey, strengthening bilateral e-commerce ties, Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of Delovoy Kazakhstan, told Xinhua .

Yao Hongchun, vice president of the Thai New Generation China Business Association, highlighted its potential to cooperate with China, mainly through advanced e-commerce technologies tailored to Thai consumers. COOPERATION PLATFORM

“E-commerce can be successful and continue to develop in the long run if everyone finds their own way in it, if it is based on close international cooperation, if it is diversified and if as many countries as possible are involved both on the producer side and on the buyer’s side,” said Lajos Olah, deputy speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, during the opening ceremony of the fair.

By July 2024, China has signed memorandums of understanding on e-commerce cooperation with 33 countries on five continents.

Additionally, China has engaged in digital economy cooperation through multilateral structures such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and G20, according to the e-commerce development report released by China’s Ministry of Commerce during the exhibition.

In addition to exhibitions, this year’s GDTE also featured multiple forums, meetings and seminars, providing officials and industry leaders with platforms to exchange views and discuss prospects for international cooperation.

By participating in the fair, Thailand is ready to work with partners in trade, investment, research and development to expand its digital products and services to integrate with key global supply chains, Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, Ekachat Seetavorarat told Xinhua on the sidelines exhibitions.

Madiyev also emphasized that GDTE represents a unique opportunity to exchange experiences with leading global players in the digital economy and expand economic ties with other countries, in particular with China.

(Xinhua correspondents Zhang Tianlang, Yan Liang, Sun Shuo and Sun Jing in Beijing, Zhu Han and Zhang Xuan in Hangzhou, Zhang Jiye in Astana and Gao Bo in Bangkok contributed to this story.)