Participants talk with each other at the roundtable talk. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

At the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Hangzhou companies took the spotlight during the Zhejiang-organized AI-Driven Digital Economy Innovation sub-forum, where 70 roundtables connected 300 Zhejiang digital firms with 70 multinational enterprises from 14 countries.

Hangzhou Taixi Intelligent Technology's General Manager Liang Linchao reconnected with international partners, noting, "It feels like a global reunion — we're meeting both old colleagues and new collaborators."

At one of the tables, Zheng Peiyu, technical standards director of Hangzhou Hyperchain Technology, exchanged contact info with Wang Zhen, head of Germany's Schleswig-Holstein Economic Development Center. They quickly discussed providing digital solutions to German small- and medium-sized enterprises — a vivid example of how Hangzhou's digital innovation is powering global cooperation.

Global giants such as Google, Qualcomm, Cisco, Siemens, Boeing, and Boston Scientific joined discussions on AI, high-tech R&D, and cross-border talent exchange.

Several multinational executives expressed strong confidence in the Chinese market. Grundfos Vice President Astrid Norgaard Friis said her company is considering building its largest overseas R&D center in China and plans to visit Hangzhou to explore partnerships with Alibaba and Geely.

Dow's Asia-Pacific CTO Julia Woertink highlighted its alignment with China's new 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30), announcing new joint R&D projects in AI and semiconductors with Chinese firms.

By the end of the first day, Zhejiang's trading delegation had signed 24 import agreements worth 14.5 billion yuan (&2.04 billion). As China deepens high-level opening-up, Hangzhou's digital enterprises are emerging as vital bridges between global innovation and China's vast market.

Participants attending the roundtable talk with each other. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]