The fifth Global Digital Trade Expo is scheduled to open from Sept 23 to 27 in Hangzhou. [Photo/Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce]

The fifth Global Digital Trade Expo will be held from Sept 23 to 27 in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, featuring forums, innovation competitions, and industry events.

The expo will feature 12 themed events, 13 industry activities, four investment and trade promotion events, and 21 innovation competitions, covering digital trade governance, AI, and emerging industries.

Key events will focus on global cooperation. The BRICS Special Economic Zones Hangzhou Dialogue will release reports and best-practice cases, while Silk Road E-commerce Day and Digital Trade Africa Day will promote international cooperation. The expo will also release the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2026 and China Digital Trade Development Report 2026. The former will be published as an official United Nations publication.

Industry activities will cover digital healthcare, smart connected systems, digital culture, and other sectors, emphasizing business matchmaking and project implementation. Investment events aim to connect Zhejiang companies with multinational firms, investment institutions, and overseas business associations.

Major competitions will focus on open-source development, embodied intelligence, and brain-computer interfaces, with more than 10,000 teams expected to participate.

The expo will also link with major industry events, including Alibaba Cloud's Apsara Conference, NetEase Future Conference, and Anheng's West Lake Conference, creating broader opportunities for industry exchange and cooperation.