Big Turnout and Awards at East China Fair

The 34th East China Fair (ECF), themed "Adapt to Changes and Expand New Horizons in Foreign Trade," opened on Sunday at Shanghai New International Expo Center (2345 Longyang Road) in Pudong.

The four-day fair focused on garments, textiles, home products and gifts, with two exhibition areas highlighting overseas products and cross-border e-commerce.

The event features 5,291 booths, representing 3,325 domestic and international companies, including 375 overseas exhibitors from 14 countries and regions. Over 46,000 professional buyers attended the event.

The annual regional fair is co-organized by nine provinces and cities: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Nanjing and Ningbo.

A dedicated pet supplies zone in the Household Products Exhibition Area showcased 51 exhibitors across 67 booths. It features innovative pet furniture, clothing, toys, care products and travel equipment, aimed at capitalizing on the growing pet economy.

The ECF, as an important window to showcase the transformation, innovation and brand development in China's foreign trade, is also an important platform to demonstrate new drivers of foreign trade development.

This year's fair gave Innovation Awards to 46 enterprises from Shanghai and neighboring cities and provinces to recognize the latest progress in new materials development and product design.

They span multiple categories, including smart home devices, cultural and creative goods, 3D printing, functional apparel and pet supplies.

Shanghai Worth International Co Ltd has been specializing in gardening products and custom furniture for decades. The electronic micro tiller is its latest model at the fair, which caters to family garden cultivating and weed management.

The fair welcomed a wide range of exhibitors, returnees as well as newcomers.

Monica Marija Djumic from the Danish company RONALD A/S has visited the fair over 20 times, appreciating Chinese products such as gifts and apparels.

It has traded in all kinds of items, such as hair accessories and gift items, and has established long-term partnerships with dozens of manufacturers all over the country.

Asif Muhammad from Saqib Garments in Pakistan was a first-time visitor to the fair. He was looking for electronic products and gadgets.

"I'll stay three to four days at the fair, and I'm quite happy to learn more stuff and try to find more at different parts of the exhibition," he said.