Global technology giants showcase latest innovations at China’s digital trade expo
Leading international technology companies are increasingly turning to China’s digital ecosystem as a platform to showcase innovations, seek partnerships and expand their businesses. At the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou, overseas companies are presenting their latest products in autonomous transportation, artificial intelligence and digital healthcare.
The five-day expo is being held from September 23 to 27 in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province. This year’s event has attracted more overseas delegations than all previous editions combined. The exhibition covers 170,000 square meters, with international exhibitors accounting for more than 20 percent of the exhibition area.
Among the most popular exhibits is Tesla’s autonomous electric vehicle Cybercab, which has attracted widespread attention from visitors.
Cybercab has no steering wheel, pedals or traditional side mirrors. Designed specifically for autonomous driving, the vehicle uses eight onboard cameras instead of lidar or high-definition maps. It relies on visual analysis and an end-to-end neural network for autonomous driving.
The booth of U.S. medical technology company Medtronic has also drawn large crowds in the smart medical devices section. The company, which specializes in medical technologies and neuromodulation, is participating in the Digital Trade Expo for the first time with a device that combines artificial intelligence with brain-computer interface technology.
According to the company, the system reads brain signals and helps develop personalized diagnosis and treatment plans for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
“This product is the world’s smallest and lightest brain pacemaker. Its unique sensing technology can detect abnormal electrical signals in a patient’s brain and then analyze and organize them,” said Cai Xinqiang, manager of Medtronic China’s neuromodulation business.
According to the organizers, one of the highlights of this year’s expo is the strong participation of leading international companies, including 55 companies from the Fortune Global 500.
“More than 2,000 exhibitors are participating this year, including more than 400 from overseas. The expo has brought together leading global companies such as Google, Amazon and Tesla, as well as companies that have participated for five consecutive years,” said Li Yang, secretary-general of the secretariat of the GDTE organizing committee.
The Digital Trade Expo uses artificial intelligence as a link for expanding global business opportunities. According to Qiu Sheng, vice president of Amazon China, overseas technology giants are exploring partnership opportunities within China’s ecosystem of intelligent innovation and manufacturing.
“China has the world’s most developed manufacturing system, the most dynamic digital innovation ecosystem and a large community of entrepreneurs seeking global expansion. Therefore, we see enormous potential. Through the expo, we can effectively connect businesses with cross-border e-commerce players and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes,” he said.
More than 50,000 professional buyers from 163 countries and regions have registered for the event so far, including more than 12,000 international buyers. The preliminary agreed value of international procurement has reached 1.085 billion U.S. dollars.
As reported by CCTV+, the Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou is providing international technology companies with a platform to showcase innovations, seek partnerships and explore new opportunities in China’s digital market.
