Xi Jinping recently made an important directive emphasizing
to further summarize and apply the “Yiwu Development Experience”
to explore and follow a path of high-quality development tailored to local conditions

Beijing, April 23 (Xinhua) — Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently made an important directive pointing out that Yiwu’s small commodities have broken into a big market and built a large industry, forming the “Yiwu Development Experience.” This is a successful practice of developing county-level economies in accordance with local conditions.

Xi Jinping emphasized that, in conjunction with the education and learning activities to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, the “Yiwu Development Experience” should be further summarized and applied. He guided all regions to base their efforts on their own resource endowments, respect the pioneering spirit of grassroots and the masses, pursue reform and innovation, work with real effort and perseverance, and explore and follow a path of high-quality development tailored to their own realities, so as to better serve and integrate into the overall national development.

During his work in Zhejiang, Xi Jinping visited Yiwu multiple times for research and summarized and promoted the “Yiwu Development Experience.” Over the years, Yiwu has continued to write new chapters of “small commodities, big market.” Currently, the number of market entities in the small commodities market has exceeded 1.26 million, with trade ties to over 230 countries and regions. In 2025, its foreign trade export volume ranked first among all counties (cities, districts) nationwide.

Yiwu

Yiwu is a city in Zhejiang Province, China, renowned as a global hub for small commodity trade. Its history as a major market dates back to the late 20th century, when it transformed from a small agricultural town into the world’s largest wholesale market for everyday items, anchored by the massive Yiwu International Trade Market. Today, it serves as a key distribution center, connecting Chinese manufacturers with buyers from around the world.

Zhejiang

Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the famous West Lake in Hangzhou and the ancient water town of Wuzhen. Historically, it was a key center of commerce and culture during the Song Dynasty, particularly in Hangzhou, which served as the capital of the Southern Song period. Today, Zhejiang is a major economic hub, blending its historic sites with modern development.

Yiwu small commodities market

The Yiwu small commodities market, located in Zhejiang Province, China, is one of the world’s largest wholesale markets for small consumer goods. Its origins trace back to the early 1980s when local farmers began trading goods on the streets, eventually evolving into a massive, state-supported trading hub by the 1990s. Today, it consists of several massive complexes, attracting international buyers and offering an astonishing variety of products at competitive prices.