Day 1: Entrepreneurship and Foreign Trade Insights
Students began at the International Youth Entrepreneurship Community, where they learned how supportive community spaces lower startup barriers and foster collaboration.
Visits to Zmetaport, Cujia Group, and WinningStar provided a multi-dimensional view of Yiwu’s foreign trade ecosystem—from SME-focused logistics innovation, to cross-functional e-commerce operations, to global product distribution.
In an interactive workshop, students applied their cross-cultural experiences to propose solutions for real challenges faced by local enterprises, such as improving communication among multicultural teams in overseas factories.
Day 2: From Global Markets to Digital Commerce
At the Yiwu International Trade Market, the world’s largest small-commodity hub, students explored advanced technologies ranging from drones to wearable robotics—observing how digital tools power modern manufacturing and trade.
In the afternoon, they visited the Cross-Border E-Commerce & Livestreaming Base, learning how AI-enabled POD (Print-on-Demand) systems and livestream-driven retail models are reshaping global commerce. Students participated in hands-on livestreaming and product-making activities, gaining practical insight into digital trade operations.
Day 3: Conversations with International Entrepreneurs
On the final day, students met with international alumni from Mali, Palestine, Malaysia, and other countries who have built careers in Yiwu’s import–export sector.
These entrepreneurs shared candid stories—from early setbacks caused by insufficient market research, to insights on logistics, cultural etiquette, and China’s business environment. Many arrived in China speaking only their native language but are now fluent in Mandarin and deeply embedded in local commercial networks.
Their journeys demonstrated that perseverance, cultural agility, and strong community connections are crucial for success in global entrepreneurship.
The three‑day immersive learning program in Yiwu was not simply a field trip—it was an intensive, practice‑based course rooted in real commercial environments.
Students witnessed firsthand that successful businesses rely not on sudden bursts of inspiration, but on:
- well‑structured operational processes
- clear organizational design
- deep supply chain and market understanding
- data‑driven decision-making
- cultural intelligence and communication skills
- and the ability to align products with genuine market demand
Experiences in workshops, livestream sessions, and conversations with entrepreneurs helped students integrate cross-cultural insights with concrete business problem‑solving. Exposure to digital commerce and AI further revealed how technology is transforming production, sales, and global trade.
May the entrepreneurial spirit of Yiwu—vibrant, open, and ever-evolving—continue to inspire DKU students as they pursue innovative projects that create both social and economic value.
Their journeys demonstrated that perseverance, cultural agility, and strong community connections are crucial for success in global entrepreneurship.
