The fourth Global Digital Trade Expo holds a boxing match between two humanoid robots manufactured by Unitree Robotics. CHINA DAILY

Event highlights breakthroughs in robots, healthcare, smart mobility and capital use

The fourth Global Digital Trade Expo, which concluded on Monday in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, showcased not only how digital technology empowers industries and reaches households but the profound transformations in the digital trade sector.

Held under the theme "Witness the Innovative Future at the Global Digital Trade Expo", the five-day GDTE was divided into seven specialized industry exhibition areas — artificial intelligence, digital entertainment, Silk Road e-commerce, smart mobility, digital healthcare, smart spaces, and smart logistics.

A total of 1,812 exhibitors from 154 countries and regions participated in the exhibition, presenting future scenarios where digital technology empowers industrial development. As of noon on Monday, the total number of visits had reached 257,000, an increase of 28.5 percent compared to the previous session. The total amount of investment and trade intentions signed during the event hit 161.98 billion yuan ($22.8 billion).

Foreign exhibitors reached 381, accounting for more than 20 percent of the total. The number of foreign buyers reached 11,000, up 64 percent year-on-year. A total of 33 international organizations participated in the exhibitions and conferences held during the expo, up 50 percent year-on-year.

At the expo, technology felt tangible and closer than ever to daily life. Visitors could see numerous real-world applications, such as the AI-driven diagnosis based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. At one booth, visitors wearing specially designed spacesuits could become lunar explorers.

The Hangzhou "Six Little Dragons" Zone was set up in the Digital and Smart Future Theme Exhibition Zone, where a range of products made by Hangzhou-based tech startups were showcased.

A boxing match between two humanoid robots became a crowd-puller in the zone. The G1 model — the same type as the "dancing robot" at the nationally televised 2025 Spring Festival Gala — was produced by Unitree Robotics.

Whether attacking or dodging, the robots' movements were flexible and natural thanks to an array of joint motors and algorithmic support, drawing applause and cheers from the audience.

At the BrainCo booth, experience officers wearing the Revo 1 bionic dexterous hand became capable of playing music on a keyboard. The latest version Revo 2 bionic dexterous hand, which weighs about the same as six eggs, yet can easily lift 20 kilograms, was also unveiled.

Manycore Tech, also one of the "Hangzhou six little dragons" firms, attracted numerous enquiries from e-commerce exhibitors with its virtual studio solution. Its booth showcased how virtual studio photography can replace traditional shooting.

Traditional e-commerce photography requires physical studios, photographers and models, which is costly and inefficient. The virtual studio solution, relying on its self-developed rendering engine and AI and 3D capabilities, allows quick generation of marketing videos and images through a 3D model or picture. In 2024, it helped e-commerce companies produce more than 30 million images.

This year's GDTE went beyond showcasing products, emphasizing how to build digital capabilities to enable more small and medium-sized enterprises to share in the new opportunities of the digital trade sector.

The inaugural Digital Trade Innovation Venture Capital Day was noteworthy, focusing on how government can better guide funds and market-based investments to assist in the commercialization of technological achievements by SMEs.

At the event, the achievements of the Zhejiang Provincial Venture Capital Fund project were highlighted. By the end of August, the fund had cumulatively invested in 1,684 projects within the province and helped 101 enterprises go public. And 371 involved in the project were rated as "specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative companies" or "little giant firms", which refer to innovative specialized small enterprises recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

By the end of August, the fund had cumulatively committed 60 billion yuan, with 42.7 billion yuan paid in. It has established 123 sub-funds with a total scale of 425.4 billion yuan, said Zheng Jun, chairman of Zhejiang Jinkong Investment Management, adding that the fund has built a multilevel matrix covering a government investment fund, angel fund, innovation fund, and science and technology innovation parent fund.

Zhang Min, a manager from Unitree Robotics, noted the crucial role of capital in promoting the development of technology. "Since the startup, the development of the robotics track has relied on the ecological flywheel effect, which requires policy, capital and market to work together."

Zhang also called for strengthening international collaboration. "The robotics industry requires a close combination of technology, mass production, and industrial ecosystem iteration. Expanding the global market in the future will require more cross-industry cooperation."

Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Zhejiang provincial government, the GDTE has become an international showcase for the digital trade sector. This year's expo hosted eight major thematic events including the launch ceremony, Silk Road E-commerce Day, African Digital Trade Day, and the BRICS Special Economic Zones Dialogue. More than 30 industry, investment and financing matching activities were also held during the event.

The expo also highlighted the release of significant achievements and rankings such as the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2025, the Report on China's Development of Digital Trade 2025, and the Top 10 Outstanding Young Professionals Under 35 in Digital Trade.

liyou@chinadaily.com.cn