Yiwu rides e-commerce wave
Chinese New Year is almost upon us, and factories in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have been working at full speed in the lead-up producing the souvenirs and other consumer goods that have put the city on the map. Many of the items made there are popular with businessmen and others who like to exchange gifts at this time of year. The city has been given an additional boost in recent years by the growth of online trading. Yiwu is now an e-commerce hub, and one of the most prosperous areas is the village of Qingyanliu. Unassuming houses have become the headquarters of many Taobao traders, and this has earned Qing-yanliu the nickname Taobao Village. Traders rent office space from villagers and send goods all over the country. There are two reasons for this: Rents are low, and the village is close to the largest freight market in Yiwu, at Jiangdong.
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Photographer Wan Yunfei takes a photo of a product for a Taobao client in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. All Photos by Lyu Bin / For China Daily |
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Trader Lin Jianxiong (left) picks up decorations in Yiwu before sending them to his online clients. Lin is from Macheng, Hubei province, but moved to Yiwu with his family hoping to make more money from online trading. |
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A businesswoman at Yiwu International Trade Market shows off two toy sheep, which are among the best-sellers in the lead-up to the Year of the Sheep. |
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Taobao traders have their products packed before delivery in Qingyanliu village, Yiwu. |
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Trucks pass through the main gate at Qingyanliu to deliver products to all corners of the country. |
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A courier in Qingyanliu carries a stack of boxes that will be delivered to Taobao clients across the nation. |
(China Daily 02/18/2015 page6)
