The 2026 First China-Foreign Commodity Expo and Golden Autumn Community Market recently kicked off at Grand Canal Square. On the opening day, the venue bustled with visitors in high spirits as residents streamed in to explore the exhibits, sample the products, and make purchases. The Expo will run until November 15.

This year's Expo brings together more than 2,000 types of specialty products across seven major zones: the China Railway Express Imported Goods Zone, the Southeast Asia International Goods Zone, the Belt and Road Specialty Goods Zone, the Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan Goods Zone, the Domestic Famous, Special and Premium Agricultural Products Zone, the Huai'an Local Specialties Zone, and the Household Goods and Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts Zone.

At the venue, the dazzling array of goods drew residents to stop and browse. At the Russian red sausage booth, the vendor sliced sausage on the spot for customers to sample, and the aroma of meat filled the air. Red wine and brandy products imported via the China Railway Express were neatly displayed, prompting many residents to stop, sample, and ask questions. Handmade leather bags and distinctive wooden ornaments brought by Pakistani exhibitors proved highly popular for their unique exotic charm. At the sea cucumber booth, residents bent down to inspect the quality closely; at the Yunnan mushroom stand, mounds of dried goods were piled high, with rehydrated samples offering a direct display of quality, and the rich aroma drew many visitors to stop.

The bustling Expo not only boosted commodity trading but also drove sustained growth in spending on cultural tourism, dining, and accommodation. Between exhibition sessions, groups of exhibitors from other cities and abroad toured Huai'an, sampled Huaiyang cuisine, and stayed in local hotels. With the Expo as a link, they injected vitality into Huai'an's dining, accommodation, and cultural tourism spending, creating a synergistic effect of "hosting expos, attracting business visitors, and boosting cultural tourism."