An embodied intelligent cleaning robot developed by XWZ attracts visitors at the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

As the curtain falls on the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo, preparations for the 5th edition are already underway — continuing Hangzhou's momentum as a global hub for digital trade.

The 4th expo drew 1,812 exhibitors and over 257,000 visitors, resulting in intended deals worth 161.98 billion yuan ($22.74 billion). More than 20 percent of participants were international exhibitors, with companies from 155 countries and 33 international organizations engaging in 46 major events and over 1,200 trade matchmaking sessions.

Digital tools such as the Digital Trade Online platform greatly enhanced efficiency, enabling 260,000 online matches both before and after the event. This year's new Supply-Demand Hub allowed international buyers to post their purchasing needs in advance, turning the expo into a genuine marketplace for global trade.

Deals blossomed: an Indonesian delegation secured over 5 billion yuan in contracts, while exhibitors like XWZ signed orders for 1,600 smart cleaning robots, and Ark of Qiantang received 20 million yuan in zero-carbon smart agriculture orders from African buyers.

The expo also served as a bridge for long-term cooperation. Hangzhou Expo Group is now expanding its global operations by hosting international expos in Indonesia and planning the 2025 Indonesia Warehousing & Logistics Expo, further extending Hangzhou's exhibition brand abroad.

With AI-powered systems, precise matchmaking, and human-centered services, the Global Digital Trade Expo is evolving from a mere five-day event into a year-round international network — a window for the world to see, understand, and connect with Hangzhou's digital vitality.

Indonesian delegates pose for a group photo after arriving in Hangzhou from a chartered flight arranged by the organizers of the 4th Global Digital Trade Expo. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]