EXHIBITION halls at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Bao’an District were packed with activity as buyers and exhibitors engaged in intense negotiations at the 34th China (Shenzhen) International Gifts, Handicrafts, Watches & Houseware Fair, which wrapped up yesterday.

The annual flagship event for the gift industry gathered about 4,500 premium exhibitors from across the supply chain and was expected to attract 300,000 professional buyers from aroud the world. As a barometer of China’s gift industry, the fair aims to help enterprises tap into markets and achieve sustainable sales growth by connecting them with trillion-yuan-level corporate procurement demands.

“Many firms choose this platform, one of the largest in the Asia-Pacific region, to finalize their most important procurement plans of the year,” said Chen Li, vice president of Reed Huabo, the fair’s organizer.

The fair showcased over 1 million creative gift items across 30 popular consumer categories, including digital gadgets, home appliances, food, and IP-themed cultural products. Leading brands such as Haier, DJI, and Xiaomi unveiled their latest annual products.

This year’s edition placed a strong emphasis on the fusion of tradition and modernity. Brands specializing in intangible cultural heritage and creative design captured the interest of international buyers.

Special curated zones were set up to highlight this cultural focus. The National Treasure Gifts & IP Licensing Zone featured world-class cultural IPs like Sanxingdui and the Yungang Grottoes. The China Gifts Zone showcased brands representing Chinese craftsmanship and smart manufacturing. The Wanwuji Zone focused on the integration of intangible heritage and original design for an immersive cultural experience.

Beyond physical products, the fair hosted a series of AI-themed forums to explore future trends. Discussions such as “AI Efficiency: Breaking Through for Growth” and “AI Digitalization: Reconstructing the Gift Ecosystem” addressed how artificial intelligence will redefine hardware, from smart toys to wearable technology. Experts at the 2026 AI Smart Wearables Summit explored the innovation path for the next two years, helping industry players seize opportunities for digital transformation.

(Claudia Wei)