Shanghai is gearing up to host the 33rd East China Fair (ECF), a premier import and export trade exhibition focusing on textiles, garments and light industrial products.

The event is scheduled to take place from March 1 to 4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), announced the event organizers during a news briefing on Wednesday in Shanghai.

Jointly organized by commerce authorities from nine provinces and municipalities in eastern China, the ECF will attract over 3,250 exhibitors, including 364 from overseas.

Spanning 115,000 square meters, this year's fair will feature dedicated sections for garments, textiles, home products, gifts, e-commerce and overseas exhibitors, with a total of 5,100 booths catering to an estimated 40,000 professional buyers.

In line with its commitment to showcasing technological advancements and industry innovation, the ECF will spotlight the latest trends and breakthroughs in materials, technology and products. One notable highlight is the Home Products Exhibition, where Ningbo Xinhai Technology Group will unveil its ultra-thin lighter boasting cutting-edge anti-explosion materials and patented constant flow valve technology, challenging foreign market dominance with its innovative design.

Moreover, the fair will prioritize facilitating connections between buyers and sellers through procurement matchmaking events, including specialized sessions for Southeast Asian countries leveraging the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Leveraging various media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and WeChat, the ECF aims to promote the event globally and showcase innovative products from domestic exhibitors.

Strengthening partnerships with domestic and international trade associations, government agencies and trade promotion organizations remains a key focus for the ECF. Collaborative ties with trade agencies from countries like Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Ireland will be forged to expand the fair's overseas network.

Emphasizing cross-border e-commerce and green trade, the ECF will host a high-level forum on cross-border e-commerce, exploring the integration of AI-generated content technology into the industry.

The e-commerce exhibition area will feature over 120 platform companies, encompassing comprehensive platforms, cross-border services, smart logistics and independent stations. By fostering partnerships between leading platforms like Amazon, AliExpress and provincial and municipal manufacturers, the ECF aims to establish a comprehensive service ecosystem.

The fair's dedication to promoting the country's dual-circulation development pattern will be evident through its focus on integrating domestic and international trade, encouraging participation from companies engaged in both export and domestic sales.

Luo Bin contributed to this story.