The fifth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) will be held from Sept 23 to 27 in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, with AI and growing international participation among its key highlights.

The expo, themed "Meet the AI Future at GDTE," will take place at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, making emerging technologies accessible, interactive, and commercially viable.

Nearly 500 AI companies will showcase their latest technologies, alongside global companies including Apple, Amazon, and Google, as well as leading Chinese enterprises and research institutions. A dedicated AI Future exhibition area will cover computing infrastructure, AI models, industrial applications, and intelligent hardware.

International participation is also expanding rapidly, with nearly 10,000 international buyers having registered, up about 50 percent year-on-year, while prospective international procurement orders have exceeded $940 million, an increase of 47 percent. AI-related orders account for 53 percent of the total, with demand for AI applications, data centers, and intelligent terminals each rising by more than 50 percent.

Eight countries, including Malaysia, Hungary, and Switzerland, have confirmed national delegations, while 29 international organizations will attend.

For the first time, the expo will work with five major international organizations to compile the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2026. Investment matchmaking, competitions, and consumer activities will also be held, further strengthening Hangzhou's role as a global hub for digital trade and AI innovation.