The Global Cross-border E-commerce Annual Meeting (Zhuhai-Hengqin) 2024 took place in Hengqin, Zhuhai, on October 8-9, drawing over 1,500 participants to discuss the future of global trade. With the theme “New Highland, New Advantages, and New Momentum,” the event focused on building a robust cross-border e-commerce ecosystem through collaboration and innovation.
The meeting saw the inauguration of the Cross-border E-commerce Association and the Cross-border E-commerce (Huafa) Innovation Industrial Park in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone. One of the event’s highlights was the launch of the Hengqin Initiative for the Development of the Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Industry, which aims to foster an open, innovative, and cooperative global ecosystem, encouraging win-win outcomes for participating companies.
Industry experts from around the world attended the two-day conference, exchanging views on emerging trends and potential opportunities within cross-border e-commerce. The conference emphasised the vital role of economic globalisation and the increasing importance of cross-border e-commerce in reshaping the global trade landscape. Participants also expressed optimism about the future of international collaboration, particularly between China and the wider global community.
China’s cross-border e-commerce sector has seen steady growth, with official data from the General Administration of Customs showing imports and exports totalling 1.22 trillion yuan in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.5%. Cross-border e-commerce has become one of China’s three major trade methods, alongside general and processing trade.
Guangdong province has established itself as a national leader in cross-border e-commerce, accounting for a significant portion of China’s trade in the sector. In the first half of 2024, Guangdong’s imports and exports via cross-border e-commerce reached 427.34 billion yuan, representing 10% of its total foreign trade. With close to 6 million square metres of overseas warehouses already set up, Guangdong continues to enhance its global trade infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, representatives from the Guangdong commerce authorities underscored the importance of capitalising on the resource advantages provided by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). They highlighted plans to accelerate the global expansion of overseas warehouses, and other infrastructure, to facilitate trade and ensure the continued growth of the cross-border e-commerce sector.
Li Ziwei, Director of the Economic Development Bureau for the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, hailed the progress made in establishing industrial parks within the zone. The Huafa Innovation Industrial Park of Cross-border E-commerce and Livestreaming Base, and the Hengqin-Macao Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park, have been set up to offer comprehensive services to businesses. These parks provide integrated functions, including product development, brand building, supply chain optimisation, and logistics delivery.
The event featured a think tank seminar on cross-border e-commerce within the Greater Bay Area and multiple parallel sessions exploring technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation. Other discussions centred on upgrading platforms, optimising services, and expanding global marketing for cross-border e-commerce brands.
