A view of the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center in Shanghai on May 14, 2026 Photo: Chi Jingyi/GT

　　Soft alpaca dolls made from Peruvian alpaca wool, once a viral highlight at the annual China International Import Expo (CIIE), now sit permanently on shelves at the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center in Shanghai, near the venue of the CIIE.

　　From Peru to Shanghai"s exhibition halls and then across China"s consumer market, this small toy reflects the smooth, efficient trade flows fostered under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and highlights the expanding spillover effect of the CIIE.

　　To help products from BRI partner countries reach Chinese consumers through distributors, Shanghai has introduced a "6 + 365 days" year-round display and trading platform to strengthen procurement cooperation and better leverage the spillover effects of the CIIE through a comprehensive, omnichannel import trading service.

　　As the flagship venue of this platform, the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center, also known as Hongqiao Pinhui, aims to serve as a centralized showcase for CIIE achievements, a major distribution hub for imported goods, and a prime gathering place for international trade enterprises.

　　"Many overseas exhibitors have established permanent display points at Hongqiao Pinhui. Major companies have also set up offices here. For example, Canadian food giant McCain has moved in to expand its presence in the Chinese market," Zhu Jing, deputy general manager at Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center, told the Global Times on Thursday.