A former session of the Global Digital Trade Expo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

With just 100 days until the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE), Hangzhou held a high-level promotional event in Shanghai, inviting the world to "co-create a digital trade future".

As China's only national-level expo dedicated to digital trade, the GDTE is rapidly gaining global stature — this year, it was again featured in China's State Council work report alongside the China International Import Expo and Canton Fair.

Why Shanghai? As a gateway for foreign investment and innovation, it has hosted a GDTE promo event for three consecutive years. The city’s reach has propelled Hangzhou's digital trade push to new heights, expanding promotion to cities like Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Dubai. It is also targeting emerging markets, especially BRICS nations.

The expo is attracting major players like Amazon, Tesla, Alibaba, and Yokogawa, while new country-specific events — like BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization theme days — are planned this year. At the same time, Hangzhou is investing in its Digital Free Trade Zone and building out six specialized trade bases to support a 440-billion-yuan ($61.2 billion) digital trade ecosystem by 2027.

The GDTE is part of Hangzhou's efforts to become a global hub for digital trade. The city is developing cross-border data services, deepening ties with BRICS partners, and fostering innovation in AI, e-commerce, and smart logistics. With institutional reform and international collaboration at its core, Hangzhou is charting a bold course for China's digital economy to go global.

The GDTE holds a promotional session in Shanghai. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]