The 2025 Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Expo takes place in Hangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: chcecpa]

Over the past decade, Hangzhou has transformed from a testing ground into a thriving hub for cross-border e-commerce, with annual trade exceeding 152 billion yuan ($21.2 billion), local media outlets reported.

Kicking off on July 10 in Hangzhou, the 2025 Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Expo gathers over 1,300 companies and platforms from around the world, reinforcing Hangzhou's role as an international cooperation center for digital trade.

As this year's biggest cross-border e-commerce industry event in Hangzhou, it connects industrial belts from Zhejiang and other provinces with international buyers across 30 key product categories, including consumer electronics, pets, outdoor hardware and baby toys.

A special Brand Going Global section highlights Hangzhou's shift from generic exports to branded products.

Since becoming China's first cross-border e-commerce pilot zone back in 2015, Hangzhou's e-commerce export value has surged by 1,266 times, with over 65,000 sellers now operating globally. Pioneering innovations in customs clearances, taxation, legal services and in digital infrastructure have fueled the rapid growth, making Hangzhou a model city for China's cross-border trade.

Visitors throng to the 2025 Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Expo. [Photo/WeChat account: chcecpa]