The 4th Global Digital Trade Expo has officially launched in Hangzhou, bringing together technology firms, innovators, investors, and government representatives from around the world to explore the next frontier of digital trade and cooperation.
The event runs from September 25 to 29 in Zhejiang Province, and covers an exhibition area of approximately 155,000 square meters. According to an official announcement from China’s central government, over 1,700 exhibitors have registered so far, among which more than 20 percent are international firms. Over 70 of these are Fortune Global 500 companies. (Source)
Cutting‑Edge Themes: AI, E‑Commerce & Global Connectivity
This year’s expo places artificial intelligence at its core. According to local reports, full‑chain AI demonstrations include smart robots, embodied AI, large language models, and AI applications across sectors. (Source)
The event also features the Silk Road E‑commerce Zone, where international products from Indonesia, Australia, and China are displayed side by side, giving attendees a “global supermarket” experience with on‑site ordering and interactive demos. (Source)
Guest countries of honor include the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, and Shaanxi province is honored as the guest province. (Source) Over 1,812 exhibitors from 154 countries and regions are participating, and more than 42,000 professional buyers have been mobilized, including over 11,000 international buyers.
Business Matching, Investment Forums & Reports
Accompanying the exhibition are numerous investment and cooperation events, including over 30 industry forums, capital‑matchmaking sessions, and special days such as Silk Road E‑commerce Day and BRICS Economic Zone Dialogue.
Key reports — such as the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2025 and China’s Digital Trade Report 2025 are also being released, aiming to provide strategic insight and direction for the industry’s future.
Officials emphasize that the upgraded Digital Trade Online platform is enhancing business matchmaking more than 32,000 professional buyers have preregistered, including over 7,700 from overseas, bringing hundreds of international procurement requests.
China’s Strategic Vision and Economic Ambitions
Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping stated that digital trade represents the deep integration of technology with international commerce. He emphasized that China views this sector as crucial to innovating trade models and supporting new forms of global cooperation.
In the first half of 2025, China’s cross-border e-commerce reached 1.3 trillion yuan (approximately 183 billion USD), setting a new record.
Zhejiang Province alone surpassed 800 billion yuan in digital trade volume in 2024, continuing six years of double-digit growth. Hangzhou, as the host city, plays a central role in the country’s digital infrastructure and cross-border payment systems.
International Collaboration & Global Participation
The expo’s influence reaches well beyond China and the Asia-Pacific. One of the key participants from the Middle East was Dubai Integrated Economic Zones (DIEZ).
In a LinkedIn statement, DIEZ noted:
“We were proud to take part in the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE), where we shared our expertise and collaborated with enterprises, buyers, and investors from around the world in the digital trade sector. The event featured key exhibition categories, including Artificial Intelligence, E-commerce, Smart Mobility, and much more, advancing the future of global digital trade and fostering innovation across industries.”
DIEZ’s involvement highlights the growing role of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in digital trade and the strategic importance of GDTE as a global networking and innovation hub. Their participation demonstrates how the expo facilitates partnerships that transcend geographic and market boundaries.
Show Highlights & Sector Zones
The expo is organized into one main digital trade hall and seven industry zones, covering themes such as AI, digital entertainment, smart mobility, digital healthcare, smart logistics, and smart spaces.
Notable exhibits include Ant Group’s robot cooking demonstrations, immersive “digital trade dreams” installations by Star Vision, and previews of the game Black Myth: Zhong Kui.
In the AI zone, devices related to computing power, AI-generated digital humans, and industrial applications of large models are being showcased.
Silk Road & Cross‑Border Innovation
The Silk Road E-commerce Zone continues to gain attention as a global trade sandbox. Participants can experience niche products like Indonesia’s kopi luwak coffee and Australia’s manuka honey.
Advanced tools such as ArcSoft’s PSAI system which converts flat product photos into AI-generated visuals with virtual models in under a minute show how digital innovation can lower operational costs and increase marketing agility, particularly for SMEs.
Firms like Disrupt-X from the UAE also showcased smart city technologies and IoT solutions connecting Middle Eastern demand with Chinese manufacturing capabilities.
Data Governance & Ethical Frameworks
In addition to tech demos, the expo features in-depth panels on data privacy, cross-border compliance, algorithmic transparency, and digital ethics. Organizers acknowledge that technology must be backed by robust frameworks that ensure fairness, accountability, and trust across digital ecosystems.
Broader Impacts & Future Outlook
Economically, the previous edition of GDTE contributed an estimated 1.4 billion USD to Hangzhou’s local economy, and this year is expected to surpass that.
According to the World Economic Forum, digital trade could account for up to 25% of total global trade by 2030 a projection that reinforces the significance of platforms like GDTE in shaping the future of commerce.
Conclusion
The 4th Global Digital Trade Expo stands as a beacon for the future of international digital cooperation. From technological breakthroughs to regulatory dialogues, and from SME innovation to cross-continental partnerships like that of DIEZ, the event paints a comprehensive picture of how digital trade will evolve in the years to come.
