What does it take to link a local wholesale market to the world? More than 2,000 international buyers from over 110 countries and regions gathered in Linyi, East China's Shandong province, on Oct 28 for the 4th Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference.

Themed "linking the world's market, sourcing global quality goods", the three-day event focuses on supply-demand matching, industrial exchange and digital empowerment, and features an export commodities expo with 1,200 booths, a specialized session for the Linyi International Product Selection Center, and a precision procurement matchmaking meeting.

Known as China's market city and logistics capital, Linyi is pushing to internationalize its trade city, having secured an international port code and shifting from a logistics hub to a trade organizer.

In the first three quarters this year, over 2,300 Linyi enterprises went global for overseas exhibitions, built 18 international selection centers, and set up overseas service stations in 11 countries.

International buyers gather at an exhibition zone during the 4th Linyi Trade City International Sourcing Conference. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]