World's largest small commodities market springs back to life after Spring Festival

The Yiwu International Trade Market, the world's largest small commodities market, located in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, reopened to customers from around the world on Feb. 28, 2026.

The Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center, inaugurated last year as the market's core hub, is dedicated to empowering global trade through digital technology. On Feb. 28, the center was bustling with activity, drawing businesspeople from across the globe.

Foreign businesspeople view data on the global expansion of the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei)

At an accessories shop, store owner Zhu Sufang said more than 20,000 flower pendants were sold last year. Today, artificial intelligence is used in the design of about 30 to 40 percent of the store's products, as well as in order processing, production and shipping.

A foreign businessman learns about an AI alarm clock at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei)

On the second floor of the market, a large screen displayed data on the global expansion of the market's businesses, streaming real-time footage of goods being sorted at more than 200 overseas warehouses and drawing the attention of foreign businesspeople.

Fu Hua's store, located on the third floor, recorded robot sales exceeding 700,000 yuan ($101,900) on the morning of Feb. 28. Last year, Fu's company developed a companion robot that can express 12 different emotions and speak more than 60 languages, generating more than 4 million yuan in sales in just over two months.

Fu Hua poses for a picture with businessmen from Dubai. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Saier Technology's AI glasses, AI rings and other smart wearable devices have attracted both Chinese and international businesspeople. Zhang Yun, the company's chairman, said an AI translation device independently developed by the company supports translation and simultaneous interpretation and can also function as a phone holder.

Zhang Yun shows an AI translation device that can also function as a phone holder. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei)

At the store of Litian Toys, owner Chen Meijun was selling toys through a multilingual, AI-powered livestream. Over the years, she has recorded more than 1,000 multilingual product videos with AI support, selling toys to over 130 countries worldwide.

Litian Toys at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei)

On that day, the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center recorded a total of 62,000 business visits.