By Kong Dechen

Yiwu International Trade Market – the globe’s premier hub for small commodities trade in east China’s Zhejiang province – hummed with energy as buyers and sellers converged.

Zhang Shidan, founder of Yiwu Jinshang Daily Commodities Trading Company, was processing ascaled-uporder for children’s straw cups from her Middle Eastern client—a follow-up order triggered by the client’s exceptional sell-through rates in their regional markets.

“To maintain our edge in this fast-paced industry, we roll out 1-2 proprietary designs monthly and release 1,000+ new SKUs annually,” Zhang emphasized.”We also prioritize hyper-localized customization to align with distinct regional preferences.”

Chris, a London-based procurement specialist with a decade of sourcing expertise in Yiwu,expressed enthusiasm for the city’s ever-evolving product landscape.”I purchase over 100 shippingcontainers annually – spanningjewelry, tools, and beyond,” he noted. “Each visit unveils fresh innovations. This time, I’m gearing up for a substantial procurement campaign.”

Dubbed the “world’s supermarket,” Yiwu boasts 2.1 million product categoriesthat sustain the operations of 2.1+ million SMEs and micro-enterprises,.while maintaining trade partnerships across 230+ countries and regions.

Annually,600,000+ global buyers flock to Yiwu, supported by 28,000 permanently stationed international traders.The city’s 650,000+ digital-first e-commerce enterprises amplify its cross-border influence through online channels.

In late 2024, China’s State Council greenlit a comprehensive reform blueprint to propel Yiwu’s international trade modernization. The plan outlines 97 targeted initiatives across five pillars: streamlined procurement frameworks for agile cross-border trade; deeper integration of domestic and global supply chains; next-generation logistics infrastructure; enhanced regulatory ecosystems; a world-class business climate.

To advance innovative importdevelopment, the plan proposed a positive-list management mechanism for select imported consumer goods, simplifying customs procedures while maintaining security protocols.

“Yiwu holds inherent advantage in broadening import channelsby capitalizing on its robust logistics and digital infrastructure cultivated through decades of export expertise,”remarked Zhang Yongjun, secretary-general and researcher at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

“With tens of thousands of global buyers visiting annually,these professionals can act as bridges to introduce premium and niche products from their home markets into China,” Zhang added.

To enhance market procurement mechanisms, the plan established a trade consolidator system, integrated into formal trade frameworks. It strengthened real-time market oversight, cargo consolidation protocols, and streamlined customs documentation.

Leveraging Yiwu’s digital trade service platform, the entire supply chain – covering transactions, logistics, payments, and financing—has undergone end-to-end digitalization.

For secure global service networks, the initiative incentivizes businesses to develop proprietary international digital platforms incorporating functions likecross-border marketing,last-mile delivery, and post-sales services.

For secure global service networks, the initiative incentivizes businesses to develop proprietary international digital platforms incorporating functions like cross-border marketing, last-mile delivery, and post-sale services. Concurrently, it prioritizes optimizing logistics through expanded direct shipping routes, centralized cargo resources, and upgraded”door-to-door” and “warehouse-to-warehouse” freight solutions.

In today’s global economy, supply chain security and stability have emerged as pivotal challenges. Lu Jing, head of the Department of International Trade and Economics at Zhejiang University’s School of Economics, highlights that Yiwu’s reforms present innovative strategies for optimizing global supply chain.

Lu emphasized that China is advancing a more efficient logistics network for small commodities, utilizingChina-Europe freight trains and multimodal transport solutions integrating air, sea, and rail to lower trade costs and bolster the supply chainresilience.

Since the approval of its comprehensive reform plan, Yiwu has pioneered transformative initiatives with measurable outcomes.Toy import certification now requires only five days, down from twenty, while the inaugural “Yiwu Selection” store – a platform for Chinese brands to enter global markets – generating 120 million yuan ($16.56 million) in orders within five hours of opening. Additionally, Yiwu launched an e-commerce industrial park processing over 10 million parcels daily, and its airport was upgraded to a visa-free transit hub.

Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, described Yiwu as a microcosm of China’s international trade, reflecting both the prowess of its manufacturing sector and the dynamism of its domestic market.

From Yiwu, countless small commoditiesreach global markets, while high-quality international goods enter China and circulate nationwide,”Zhang noted.He added that the city’s innovative trade model not only fuels local economic growth but also provides a blueprint for trade development across China.

Zhou Shanshan, People’s Daily

Arecent viral video of a foreign vlogger extolling the beauty of Chinese bridges has sparked widespread intrigue. “Bridges in China are like this,”sheobserved, awed by the grandeur, exquisite craftsmanship, and refined elegance of these structures – a visual testament to the nation’s modern development.

Today, China boasts over one million bridges- spanning rivers, crossing lakes and seas, stretching over deepvalleys, and linking rugged mountains. From centuries-old masterpieces to cutting-edge engineering feats, theyoffer an unparalleled window into a civilization that blends reverence for its past with an unyielding drive for modernization.

Take, for example, the Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province. Built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), this ancient cross-sea bridge exemplifies the ingenuity of ancient Chinese engineers. It was one of the earliest Chinese bridges to utilize floating construction techniques, easingthe burden of manual labor. Its oyster-based foundation was designed to withstand crashing waves – a critical innovation that helped connect Chinese inland regions with bustling maritime trade and transform regional commerce.

Contrast this with the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China’s Guizhou province. Once completed, it is set to become the world’stallest and longest-span bridgein a mountainous region, constructed with high-strength steel cables that couldencircle the equator twice. With theBeiDou Navigation Satellite System guiding its construction, this engineering marvel will cut travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes,promising a transformative impact on regional connectivity and industrial vitalization.

China’s bridges tell the story of relentless innovation and resolve, as generations of engineers have surmounted challenges to carve roads through mountains and build bridges over water.

The intricately carved stone lions on Beijing’s Lugou Bridge, once hailed by Italian traveler Marco Polo in the 13th century as “one of a kind in the world,”speak to the legacy of time-honored craftsmanship. Likewise, the ancient Zhaozhou Bridge in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei province, with its graceful open-spandrel arch, remains a masterclass in balancing form and function.

These bridges are more than feats of engineering; they are cultural artifacts – poetic bridges of the past and striking modern masterpieces that capture the human spirit. Bridge engineering in China combines mechanics with aesthetics, creating enduring structures that reflect the country’scultural values and artistic sensibilities.

Moreover, China’s bridges extend far beyond its borders. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, for instance, has ended the Maldives’ history without bridges, while the Chinese-built Peljesac Bridge in Croatia and the Maputo Bay Bridge in Mozambique have enhanced connectivity and driven economic growth. These projects underscore China’s role in global infrastructure, where bridges serve not just as engineering triumphs, but as enduring symbols of connection, cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

Beyond their structural role, bridges in China have taken on a deeper cultural significance. Whether it is through the mythic narratives of animated films like”NeZha 2” and immersive experiences in video games such as “Black Myth: Wukong,” or in the steady hum of innovation in new energy vehicles and home appliances, these modern “bridges” offer global audiences a glimpse into China’s creative and technological vitality.

From ancient stone bridges arching over quiet streams to modern steel spans that pierce the sky, from tangible roadways connectingcities to cultural bridges fosteringdeeper human connections,China’s bridges are more than architectural marvels – they are expressions of a civilization in motion. Rooted in history yet reaching toward the future, they stand as invitations for the world to cross, to connect, and to journey forward together.

By Ji Juesu, People’s Daily

“Welcome to my world—a sensory journey into darkness. I’m Taozi, your guide for this unique experience.”

On the second floor of Shanghai’sHKRI Taikoo Hui, guests stored their belongings, took up a white cane, and followed visually impaired barista Taozi, whose real name is Zhang Zhiwen, into an immersive café where all light is intentionally obscured.

Six visually impaired professionals oversee operation of the café, from conceptual designand guest guidance to coffee preparation. What makes it unique is its mission to give sighted customers a new way to experience the world—through its theme “Enjoy a Cup of Coffee in Complete Darkness.”

“Follow my voice and move at your own pace,” Taozi instructed the group of four visitors, her tone both reassuring and deliberate.

Though engulfed in total darkness, the space features a meticulously crafted auditory environment—wind rustling through leaves, waves colliding with rocks, and distant thunderclaps. Patrons are transported instantaneously from a tropical rainforest to a stormy seaside, all within the span of a single sensory journey.

“You seat is here.”

Guided byTaozi’s verbal cuesand tactile feedback from their white canes, the guests carefully positioned themselves. Within minutes, visually impaired barista Yin Tianbao delivered their orderswith the rich aroma of coffee and pastries filling the air.

Patrons navigated their cups by touch, cautiously opening the sip lids—a routine action now demanding heightened attention.

“For the first time, I noticed the clinking of ice cubesand the sound of coffee slipping down my throat. It was surprisingly wonderful,”said a customer named You Manyu.

To ensure the shop was properly designed, designer Chen Siying first explored the space by touch before envisioning the layout for more than two months.

“Every detail underwent rigorous refinement,” Chen noted. “For example, baristas pull service carts backward instead of pushing them forward to prevent accidental collisions with guests.”

The caféadheres to stringentsanitation guidelines. Founder Wang Tian explained that cleaning is a built-in step in the coffee-making process—no matter how clean the surfaces are, visually impaired baristas always give them another wipe.

A sighted staff member helps clear tables, chairs, and floors. Additionally, multiple infrared cameras enable off-site staff members to monitor the store in real time, sending instant alerts to ensure hygiene and safety standards are upheld.

Drinking coffee in complete darkness is a unique experience, but how to avoid potential safety hazards?

Shanghai’s fire and rescue and market supervision departments were involved in the café’s design from the earliest stages.During emergencies,automated lighting activates to guide evacuations, with sighted personnel stationed nearby for additional support.

Assistive technology alsoplays a crucial role.

In the preparatory phase, the team realized that standard coffee machines weren’t suitable for blind baristas. Collaborating with manufacturers, they engineered a custom-designed machine featuring ergonomically distinct buttons for instant tactile recognition.

In other branches of the brand, hearing-impaired baristas utilize AI-enabled smart glasses that provide real-time speech-to-text transcription, alongside vibrating smart wristbands that alert them to incoming orders, minimizing service gaps.

Wang noted, “China’s ecosystem of innovative SMEs and equipment suppliers has been pivotal. Their competitively priced products have effectively addressed many real-world challenges we faced.”

Since its December 2024 launch, the café has achieved operational breakeven with steadily rising foot traffic. Bookings indicate sustained growth, positioning the outlet for continued upward momentum.

To date, the café and its 10+ affiliated locations have generated employment for 80+ individuals with disabilities, while amplifying societal awareness and advocacy for those with physical and cognitive impairments.