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.

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.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

The China Development Forum (CDF) 2025 convened in Beijing from March 23 to 24, bringing together global leaders to addressthe theme “Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy.” Participants examined the challenges and opportunities facing the global economy while observing China’seconomic dynamism and its role as a stabilizing force.

Amid growing international recognition of China’s growth engine potential, “expanding investments in China” has emerged as a key priority for global businesses.

Executives from multinational corporations—includingApple, Siemens, and BMW, —joined industry leaders from Global South countries such as Malaysia and Brazil,  representing industries spanning manufacturing, finance, and services. This diverse participation underscores heightened interest in China’s market opportunities.

Attendees emphasized their confidence in China’s market potential, optimism about the opportunities it offers, and commitment to long-term cooperation with China.

Ola Kaellenius, chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-Benz, stated that the company has greatly benefited from China’s rapid economic growth and reaffirmed its commitment to long-term investment in China. He pledged to accelerate innovation and product localization at “Chinese speed,”underscoring Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to mutual growth within China.

Georges Elhedery, group chief executive of HSBC Holdings, highlighted the expanding opportunities in global trade and investment,expressing enthusiasm for supporting China’s future prosperity.He reiterated HSBC’s role in fostering deeper integration between China and the global economy..

Roland Busch, foreign co-chair of the CDF 2025 and president and CEO of Siemens AG.said China has found the answer to the question of where growth will come from.

This year’s forum showcased notable highlights that reinforce the resilience, potential, and vitality of the Chinese economy.Thriving consumer markets in film, winter sports, and tourism exemplify the vast potential of domestic economic circulation.Concurrently, technological breakthroughs—epitomized by Hangzhou’s innovative startups, often dubbed the”Six Little Dragons” —highlight China’sburgeoning innovation capabilities. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of green home appliance and new energy industries underscores the transformative opportunities driving sustainable development.

New momentum across diverse industries continues to gain strength,positioning itself as a sustainable and powerful driver for China’s long-term economic advancement.Dilma Vana Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, commended China’s transformative economic evolution, highlighting its shift from the”world’s factory”to a “global innovation powerhouse.”

Through deliberatestrategic planning and sustained investment, China has solidified itsleadership in renewable energy and artificial intelligence—achievements underpinned by forward-looking policies and proactive governance.

Amid escalatingglobal uncertainties and instability, China’ssteadfast commitment to high-quality developmentensures it remains an anchor of stability for the global economy, reinforcing its role as a reliable engine for global growth.

As the globaleconomy grows increasingly fragmented—marked by rising unilateralism, protectionism, and resistance to economic globalization—historical lessons reaffirm that openness and collaboration remain the only path to shared prosperity.

As a responsible major power, China remains unwavering in its support for the multilateral trade system and its committed to advancing inclusive economic globalization. Significant strides have been made in rebalancing the economy, evidenced by the current account surplus-to-GDP ratio stabilizing at approximately 1%—a marked reduction from its peak of around 10% in 2007.

Amid shifting global dynamics, China continues to champion openness andinternationalcooperation, advocating for fair competition anchored in universally recognized rules.This approach safeguards the stability of global trade flows and industrial supply chains while fostering shared growth through mutually beneficial partnerships with nations worldwide.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW Group, emphasized that tariff wars yield no victors, only losses. He reiterated confidence in China’s economic trajectory and its strategic focus on deepening market engagement. BMW, he noted, is accelerating investments in localized production, R&D capabilities, and long-term partnerships with Chinese stakeholders to strengthen its foothold in this critical market.

Development is the eternal theme of human society. China has consistently aligned its own development with global progress, steeringeconomic globalization toward the right direction, practicing true multilateralism, and striving to serve as a force for stability and certainty in global peace and development. China remains committed to working with all parties to counter risks and challenges, achieving shared prosperitythrough collective efforts.