The Qiantang Smart City, a high-tech industrial cluster in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, is enabling Chinese products to reach global markets through a diverse array of cross-border e-commerce support services, including product selection, cross-border livestreaming, and AI assistance.
The Qiantang Smart City hosts a cluster of cross-border e-commerce enterprises that offer a wide range of services, including e-commerce platforms, livestreaming, marketing, financial services, logistics, and technical support.
The product selection center in Qiantang Smart City aggregates over 1,200 items covering multiple industries, including digital electronics, home appliances, and cosmetics. It facilitates matchmaking between manufacturers and sellers through online and offline services.
"We assist sellers and factories along the industrial chain in developing market-fit and competitive products by leveraging big data resources from global cooperation platforms, various categories of bestseller data, and consumer feedback. Presently, we cater to hundreds of seller enterprises in product selection at this center," said Yan Yucai, president of a Hangzhou-based cross-border e-commerce technology company.
Besides, livestreaming service providers in Qiantang Smart City use the linguistic and cultural strengths of international students in China, positioning them as bridges connecting Chinese products with overseas customers. This approach helps accelerate global consumer awareness of cross-border e-commerce products.
"I am good at communication and very interested in promoting many excellent Chinese products," said a foreign live streamer with the Chinese name Qi Bairui.
Over 20 foreign live streamers, including Qi, are employed at the company. Since its establishment four years ago, the livestreaming group has conducted over 3,000 cross-border livestreams, serving more than 500 clients. Their sales expertise has broadened from cosmetics and home goods to new energy vehicles and photovoltaic modules.
Moreover, these live streamers have innovated their sales approach by extending beyond the studio to broadcast directly from production lines.
"In the past two years, our primary focus for sales has been Southeast Asia and North America. This year, we have shifted our focus to the European market. Our sales revenue was around 50 million U.S. dollars last year. This year, we anticipate surpassing 70 to 80 million U.S. dollars," said Deng Yahui, general manager of the livestreaming company.
In addition to live streamers, science and technology are also driving cross-border e-commerce marketing.
A company in Qiantang Smart City uses big data to create catwalk videos showcasing virtual models wearing clients' clothing. This innovative approach allows them to produce a marketing video in just five minutes using only two product images.
"Producing such a video traditionally would require at least a day, or even a week, with costs starting at around 200 yuan. But our costs amount to only 20 yuan," said He Jiangtao, the company's CTO.
Artificial intelligence has not only reduced operating costs but also helped small and medium-sized businesses enhance their brand bargaining power.
"Presenting through 2D couldn't sell at a good price, essentially. By presenting through a three-dimensional effect, it elevates the overall quality of our product, allowing for a price increase of 30 percent to 50 percent. Our sales revenue was about 80 million yuan last year, and this year, we estimate it to be around 120 to 150 million yuan," said Liu Boyuan, general manager of a Hangzhou-based technology company.
Hangzhou sends Chinese products globally with innovative cross-border e-commerce services
