"The combined display of traditional products and high-tech innovations gave visiting foreign consuls a clearer understanding of Hunan's strengths," said Wu Xiaoxiao, regional representative for central China for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), at the 2026 Hunan Integrated Development of Domestic and Foreign Trade Expo. The expo was held in Zhuzhou, Hunan, from June 26 to 28, attracting over 2,000 businesspersons from 15 countries and regions.Themed "New Consumption, New Intelligent Manufacturing, and New Integration," this year's expo featured a wide range of products across sectors including rail transit, engineering machinery, light industry and electronics, specialty agricultural products, and imported commodities. AI technology was deeply integrated into the entire process of exhibition operations, business management, and trade matchmaking.

During the expo, two digital platforms were launched — an "AI Nong Xiaobao (AI agricultural assistant)," an intelligent service platform focusing on agricultural solutions, and a "Digital Commerce Brain" which provides intelligent decision-making and operational support for trade enterprises. These platforms offer cost-effective and easy-to-use digital tools for small and medium-sized trading companies. A digital Commerce AI ecosystem was initiated simultaneously, in collaboration with dozens of institutions including CNHNB, Hunan Jingwang Technology Co., Ltd., and Huawei Cloud, to build a "technology + tools + services" integrated empowerment system.

An AI technology company demonstrated its application scenarios such as "a single click for a new or modified design in 30 seconds," capturing the attention of overseas merchants. Umme Salma, deputy consul of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong, noted that Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter which needs to introduce new machinery and technologies to maintain market competitiveness.

Martin Mpana, dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Cameroonian Ambassador to China, stated that the integration of domestic and foreign trade offers African countries an opportunity to learn from China's development experience under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.Shi Fenggang, deputy director of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, noted that Hunan will continue to leverage AI as a strategic driver to facilitate local digital tool development, and help Hunan products expand in the markets both at home and abroad.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

责编：王柯沣

一审：王柯沣

二审：秦慧英

三审：张权

来源：湖南省政府门户网