Yiwu International Trade Market, the world's largest small commodity hub located in east China's Zhejiang Province, welcomed a total of 235,000 visits on Sunday, the first business day after the nation's Spring Festival holiday.
This figure marks a 3.07 percent year-on-year increase. The bustling marketplace also saw around 75,000 businesses open their doors to serve customers on Sunday.
At a fashion accessories store at the market, some hair accessory products designed by AI has caught the attention of foreign buyers.
"I saw several images of hair accessory designs generated by AI, and some products. I think they are very nice and innovative," a merchant from Turkmenistan said.
"Our customers find this approach very innovative and efficient. We have been using AI for product design for a year, and now AI contributes to 15 percent of our designs," said Huang Zixuan, owner of the fashion accessories store.
In 2024, Yiwu's total import and export value reached 668.93 billion yuan (about 91.78 billion U.S. dollars), up 18.2 percent year on year, hitting a record high, according to customs data. As the goods produced in this renowned wholesale hub continue to gain popularity worldwide, local merchants are full of confidence in their business in the new year.
"Last year, this product was a huge hit for us, with millions sold. We hope to have even more bestsellers this year and sell even more," said Lin Qiuqin, a merchant at the trade market.
"This year, we plan to attend more international trade fairs and major domestic ones. We will also focus on expanding our online sales channels, with the goal of achieving 30 percent growth," said another merchant Yang Weizhen.
Yiwu Int'l Trade Market sees 235,000 visits on first business day in Chinese New Year
Yiwu Int'l Trade Market sees 235,000 visits on first business day in Chinese New Year
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Hungarian capital Budapest on Wednesday, with both sides vowing to deepen all-round cooperation.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed the cordial greetings of the Chinese leadership to Orban.
Wang said that the international situation is complex and volatile, but what remains unchanged is the friendship and cooperation between China and Hungary. He noted that the two countries' leaders have forged solid mutual trust and friendship, providing strategic guarantee for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.
China appreciates the long-standing friendly policy toward China pursued by the Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Orban, and its active efforts to advance all-round cooperation between the two countries, Wang said.
Facts have proved that developing mutually beneficial cooperation with China fully serves Hungary's national interests and the fundamental interests of its people and is a correct choice, he added.
Wang said China will continue to be a reliable long-term strategic partner of Hungary. The China-Hungary relationship, built on mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, enjoys strong endogenous momentum and broad prospects for development. China welcomes Hungary to continue riding the express train of Chinese modernization, to share opportunities, and to promote common development.
Wang expressed confidence that Hungary will continue to offer strong support to China on issues of core interests. China will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, in pursuing a successful development path suited to its national conditions, and in opposing interference in Hungary's internal affairs.
The successful story of China-Hungary cooperation will have a demonstrative effect for Europe and the world, Wang said, expressing hope that Hungary will play an active role in promoting the sound and steady development of China-Europe relations.
For his part, Orban asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leadership. He said that President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Hungary in 2024 consolidated the traditional friendship between the two countries and deepened cooperation across various fields.
Orban said the Chinese nation is great, and China's leadership has strategic vision and the capacity for long-term planning, guiding China toward rapid development and growing strength and confidence.
He said Hungary admires China's achievements, noting that Chinese enterprises have topped the ranking of investors in Hungary for several consecutive years and that the Hungary-Serbia railway is set to begin operation soon.
These developments have strongly boosted Hungary's economic growth and improved people's livelihoods. Hungary welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country, he added.
Orban reaffirmed Hungary's firm commitment to the one-China policy and expressed readiness to further deepen all-round cooperation with China. Hungary will continue to actively promote dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China, he said.
During the visit, Wang also held talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, and the two jointly met the press.
After his Hungary trip, the Chinese foreign minister will travel to Germany to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) and deliver a speech at the conference's China session.
Wang's visit is at the invitation of Szijjarto and MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger.
China, Hungary vow to deepen all-round cooperation
