A woman visits the 18th Hangzhou Cultural & Creative Industry Expo on Oct 17. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The 18th Hangzhou Cultural & Creative Industry Expo concluded on Oct 21, setting new records in terms of both participation and economic impact.

With the tagline "Creative Hangzhou, Connecting the World", the five-day event attracted over 5,500 brands from 68 countries and regions and more than 100 experts, artisans, and artists.

The expo generated 17 project agreements worth 9.56 billion yuan ($1.34 billion), with on-site transactions totaling 350 million yuan. There were 2.76 million visitors, including 1.63 million at the main venue – the Baima Lake International Convention Center. Online interactions surpassed 6.5 million.

International exhibits, such as the "Belt and Road International Cultural Exchange" and the "Impressions of Europe" pavilion, drew much attention, while new features like the 2024 Hangzhou International Craft Week and cultural products like Black Myth: Wukong delighted visitors.

The event also promoted cultural innovation, featuring business exchanges, industry reports, and a cultural youth job fair, resulting in 300 job placements. With its impressive achievements, the expo reinforced Hangzhou's status as a global cultural and creative hub.

Two international buyers visit a carpet booth at the expo. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]