Global buyers flock to AWE 2026 in Shanghai to hunt for new tech trends

Eager to expand their product portfolios and explore new markets, global buyers flocked to Shanghai for the 2026 Appliance and Electronics World Expo (AWE) to scout for partners in China.

The four-day expo, which opened on Thursday, brought together more than 1,200 enterprises from around the world showcasing their latest innovations -- with over 10,000 products making their global debut.

For the first time, this year's expo features a "one exhibition, two zones" format. In addition to the main exhibition area at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, a parallel sub-exhibition zone has been set up at the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone.

The new exhibition zone teems with international visitors. Bruna, a Brazilian buyer, is attending AWE — one of the world's top three exhibitions for household appliances and consumer electronics — for the first time. A seasoned player in import-export trade, she arrived with a clear focus.

"So, the idea was to see especially the trends and the novelty, the technologies, to understand a little bit how the technology is evolving and what can be potential products to sell in the Brazilian market," said Bruna.

The innovation of Chinese products acts as a magnet for international buyers, while the country's increasingly open institutional environment gives them the confidence to attend in person.

"I saw the immigration, but actually I never even had to show my passport. The QR code was there. So, this is basically like a free trade zone. Very interesting. Because I did go through the immigration part," said John, an Estonian Buyer.

At the international buyer matchmaking conference, every round table buzzed with lively conversation and the exchange of business cards. One attendee, wearing a pair of smart glasses developed by a Chinese company, said he had come to the expo specifically to find suppliers of intelligent devices such as robots.

"I'm from Romania. I'm looking mostly for robots and also VR (virtual reality) equipment and some other products. I think this is a good opportunity to visit AWE because I can get in touch directly with many suppliers here," said Rosca, a buyer from Romania.

He said that back in his home country, robots are rapidly becoming less of a novelty and more of a necessity. Hotels are requesting delivery robots, and a friend who organizes events has even started inquiring about renting robots that can dance.

"They want robots that I use in hotels -- the hospitality industry. Because some of my friends are actually doing these kinds of events. In the past, they were asking me for other products, like LED for the stage. Now they start asking me also for the robots for these performances," said Rosca.

AWE is becoming an excellent platform for a growing number of international buyers seeking new partnerships and business opportunities in China. According to data from the organizers, this year's expo attracted visitors from 112 countries and regions, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 30 percent.

Global buyers flock to AWE 2026 in Shanghai to hunt for new tech trends

The first Hualong One nuclear power unit in south China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area officially entered commercial operation on Monday.

The newly commissioned Unit 1 of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) Guangdong Taipingling Nuclear Power Project achieved multiple key technological breakthroughs and completed 26 major design upgrades, according to engineers. It also marked the simultaneous completion and handover of both the physical plant and its integrated digital system.

Unit 1 is expected to generate more than nine billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is sufficient to meet the yearly power needs of around one million residents in the Greater Bay Area.

Zhang Guoqiang, head of CGN Huizhou Nuclear Power Project, said the project helps advance the nation's carbon reduction drive.

"The clean energy output is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.4 million tons or adding around 20,000 hectares of forest. Currently, Unit 1 has completed all performance tests and a 168-hour full-power continuous operation assessment. All parameters of the unit are normal and stable, and the unit is in good condition," said Zhang.

The Taipingling Nuclear Power Project is planned to build six Hualong One units in three phases. Once fully completed, the project is expected to generate more than 55 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

"Hualong One" is China's domestically developed third-generation nuclear reactor. The technology is considered vital in the country's pursuit of improving its energy mix and meeting its dual carbon targets of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

First Hualong One nuclear power unit in China's Greater Bay Area starts power generation