Global digital trade export volume reaches 7.23 trln US dollars in 2024: report

The export volume of global digital trade reached 7.23 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, according to the Global Digital Trade Development Report 2025 released at the ongoing Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province on Friday.

The report shows that, according to the calculations by the compilation team, global digital trade achieved robust growth during 2020-2024 period, with the export volume increasing from 4.59 trillion U.S. dollars to 7.23 trillion U.S. dollars. This represents an average annual growth rate of 12.1 percent, which is higher than the average annual growth rate of 9.7 percent for global trade during the same period.

The export volume of digital delivery trade was 4.64 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7 percent, while the digital ordering trade showed an even faster expansion, with an export volume of 2.62 trillion U.S. dollars and an average annual growth rate of 16.8 percent.

The five-day GDTE, China's only national-level exhibition dedicated to digital trade, kicked off on Thursday, bringing together thousands of companies around the world to Hanzhou to showcase their latest advancements in technologies and digital trade.

This year, the expo covers fields including digital entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI), Silk Road e-commerce, smart travel, digital healthcare, smart space, and intelligent logistics. For the first time, the expo has introduced over 30 activities and competitions related to connectivity, investment and financing.

Under the theme "Witness the innovative future at the Global Digital Trade Expo," the event attracted 1,800 exhibitors from 154 countries and regions. More than 20 percent of these are international exhibitors, with over 70 being Fortune Global 500 companies. This year’s total exhibition area covers more than 150,000 square meters.

Global digital trade export volume reaches 7.23 trln US dollars in 2024: report

Villages in Thailand's Sisaket Province, which borders Cambodia, are quiet and empty after residents were evacuated to shelters.

With permission from the Thai military, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter entered the border conflict zone on Sunday and saw bullet holes scattered across residential buildings, as well as deep craters left by rocket and artillery fire.

"Villagers had been evacuated to shelters, leaving only us security personnel in the area," said Thai army Lieutenant General Patchakorn.

He added that civilians are not yet able to return home, citing the unstable security situation and ongoing hostilities.

Artillery fire could still be heard at the scene throughout the day. Thai military officials said the explosions were caused by Thai artillery strikes targeting Cambodian positions.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that Thai forces have taken control of nearly all targeted areas and are now compelling Cambodian forces to withdraw, adding that the areas are being closely monitored to prevent any renewed clashes.

The latest round of Thailand-Cambodia conflict, which reignited since Dec 7, has resulted in the deaths of 34 Thai civilians, Thai Ministry of Defense spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told a press conference on Sunday.

The civilian death toll in Cambodia has risen to 19, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said on the same day.

Thai border villages emptied as fighting with Cambodia leaves homes scarred