A giant robot is on display at the fifth Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou on Sept 23. [Photo/IC]

The Global Digital Trade Expo has steadily expanded since its first edition in Hangzhou in 2022, growing alongside Zhejiang's digital economy and the development of China's digital trade sector.

Over its first four editions, the expo attracted more than 5,000 Chinese and international companies and 87,000 professional buyers, and more than 1,200 products and technologies debuted.

Foreign companies have also used the expo to expand business ties in China. Yokogawa Electric first participated in 2024, securing a range of business contacts before establishing an office in Hangzhou after the event to strengthen cooperation with customers and partners in the region.

AstraZeneca has participated in the expo for five consecutive years. The company has expanded its presence in Zhejiang through its Hangzhou regional headquarters, innovation projects, and partnerships in the digital healthcare sector.

The expo's international reach has continued to expand. Malaysia and Hungary are the guest countries of honor at this year's event. More than 12,000 international business visitors have registered, with professional visitors from 163 countries and regions signing up to attend.

Zhejiang's digital trade has also continued to expand. The province's digital trade imports and exports reached 845.25 billion yuan ($125.94 billion) in 2025, maintaining double-digit growth for a seventh consecutive year.

From January to August this year, Zhejiang's digital trade imports and exports totaled 662.06 billion yuan, up 9.2 percent year-on-year.