The 31st East China Fair, one of the largest regional trade fairs in China, started its four-day exhibition on Wednesday in Shanghai. Organizers and dealers expect the event to serve as a platform for expanding their international markets.

"Amid uncertainties and major changes taking place in international trade, the event is intended to showcase the resilience and strength of East China's foreign trade. The platform strives to provide export enterprises with a channel for exploring the international market and reaching buyers, which will help promote the high-quality development of China's international trade", said Zhang Xiong, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government.

This year's ECF has an exhibition area of 105,200 square meters and 5,234 standard booths. During the event one professional forum, four professional theme exhibitions and six procurement matchmaking meetings will be held, Zhang added.

"This is the 31st time our company has taken part in this event, and we want to advertise our company to potential customers," said Wu Huiping, vice-director of the technological center at a Zhejiang-based woman dress manufacturer.

Yuan Yuan, a manager with a Jiangsu-based plush toy maker, said they are a newcomer. "We want to better understand the market and seek opportunities for both domestic and international business," she said.

Some 33,000 buyers from home and abroad are projected to attend this year's ECF, according to event organizers.