A team of international participants present their AI shopping assistants at the 2024 Global E-Commerce Challenge held by Alibaba International. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Cross-border e-commerce is emerging as a key driver of foreign trade growth in China. In the first half of 2024, cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 1.22 trillion yuan ($171.8 billion), up 10.5 percent year-on-year.

Zhejiang province, a major trade province, saw a 38.5-percent increase in cross-border e-commerce exports, totaling 179.9 billion yuan, and it is seeking to boost those numbers even higher. The province recently introduced a plan aiming to double its cross-border e-commerce scale by 2027 and again by 2030. Key actions include fostering leading enterprises, improving infrastructure, and promoting cross-border e-commerce brands globally.

Zhejiang is also addressing challenges like talent shortages by developing comprehensive talent policies and encouraging digital marketing innovations, such as AI shopping assistants and enhanced logistics networks. The goal is to position Zhejiang as a high-level international hub for cross-border e-commerce.

The 2024 Global E-Commerce Challenge held by Alibaba International. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]