Trade fair to spur growth, innovation

The 34th East China Fair, the first major trade event following the Chinese New Year, will be held from March 1 to March 4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

The fair aims to promote high-quality foreign trade by showcasing innovation and fostering deeper integration between domestic and international markets.

It will comprise specialized sub-exhibitions covering garments, textiles, home products, gifts, cross-border e-commerce, and overseas products.

This year's edition will expand in scale, with 3,325 exhibitors expected to participate, including 375 from overseas.

The total number of booths is expected to increase to 5,291, with more than 46,000 domestic and international professional buyers expected to attend.

This year's fair will spotlight the achievements of national high-tech enterprises and specialized and innovative small and medium enterprises focused on niche markets. Brand-name companies will account for 20 percent of exhibitors, patent-holding companies 19.5 percent, and businesses applying new materials and technologies 8.6 percent.

A dedicated pet merchandise zone will be introduced to capitalize on the growing pet economy.

The event is also strengthening engagement with international markets through promotional activities in Austria, Poland, and Spain.

In addition, seven matchmaking sessions will be organized for specific industries and regions. The fair will also help export-oriented enterprises expand domestic sales channels.

A themed seminar will focus on cross-border e-commerce to enhance connectivity between domestic and international trade.