Young creators, students, and innovators converge at Hainan expo, showcasing technology, culture, and fresh ideas on an increasingly global platform.

Alina Kazheuka has spent the past year getting to know Hainan — not just its tropical climate and coastal scenery, but also its increasingly international atmosphere.

The Belarusian master's student, who is also a Hainan International Tourism Ambassador, said she has noticed the growing presence of international visitors, cultural exchanges, and new opportunities for global engagement.

That is why she has been following it closely as the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) is underway in Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, from April 13 to 18.

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"Exploring the international pavilions and talking to representatives from various countries is something I've been really looking forward to," Kazheuka said. "Understanding a country's brands offers insights into its culture."

For her, the expo reflects a broader transformation taking place in Hainan. Under the theme "Opening Up Drives Global Consumption, Innovation Empowers a Better Life", this year's event brings together more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, underscoring the province's role as an important gateway for China's opening-up and international cooperation.

At a recent countdown ceremony for the expo, robot performances particularly caught her attention, offering a preview of what's to come.

"I had only seen robots on screens before. Seeing them up close makes the pace of technological change feel real — it's happening faster than I imagined," she said.

Her expectations are echoed by young exhibitors showcasing their ideas to a global audience.

At a booth designed by youth fashion media platform Geekgala, Lexi Zhang (pseudonym), head of the team, pointed to a metallic screen displaying AI-generated fashion pieces. The installation is part of an immersive AIGC (AI-generated content) experience, where a giant "magazine rack" filled with AI-created visuals invites visitors to interact with emerging creative technologies.

"AIGC is allowing us to rethink how fashion is created and experienced — and we're showing what that looks like from a new generation's perspective," she said.

For Zhang and her team, innovation goes beyond visual impact. It is also about connecting design with everyday life and evolving cultural aesthetics. The expo, she added, provides a valuable opportunity to observe how audiences respond.

"By bringing together brands, media, consumers, and industry observers, the event allows brands to engage directly with diverse audiences, foster genuine dialogue, and expand their social influence," Zhang said.

Elsewhere at the venue, another group of young creators is turning to tradition for inspiration.

Hu Linhua, head of the fashion platform Buttonpie, stood beside displays inspired by Li brocade, a form of intangible cultural heritage native to Hainan."For us, Li brocade is not just a piece of cloth; it carries the lifestyle, wisdom, and spiritual beliefs of the Li ethnic group," he said. "It connects people, nature, and tradition."

In an exhibition titled "Source of Paradise", his team has reimagined classic Li brocade patterns — known for their human-shaped motifs and deep blue-and-black palette — by incorporating them into modern items such as handbags.

Visitors are also invited to take part in hands-on workshops, creating collage-style works using Li brocade fabrics, with pearls, ears of wheat, and other decorative elements adding a tactile dimension to the experience.

"We hope that through this interactive format, people unfamiliar with Li brocade can gain a basic understanding of how traditional patterns inspire contemporary design," Hu said.

International charm

Beyond the exhibition halls, efforts to connect culture with everyday experience are extending across the city.

Running from April 3 to 18, the Laobacha Haikou Bus serves as a mobile cultural space linking key urban landmarks, from the historic Qilou Old Street to modern sites such as the Wormhole Library. Along the way, passengers can sample local delicacies, including pineapple buns and pandan cakes, and purchase official expo cultural products.

Chen Yipeng, the project's director, has seen firsthand how visitors respond to this more immersive way of exploring the city.

"It breaks away from the straightforward format of traditional promotional videos, creating a vivid, multi-dimensional experience," he said.

Chen noted that many international guests have chosen to ride the bus, enjoying tea and local snacks while taking in the city's arcade-lined streets. He added that visitors spoke highly of the unique combination of traditional delicacies and urban transit, describing it as Haikou's most lively calling card.

"Moments like these remind us that what we are doing is not just running a sightseeing route but conveying the warmth of Hainan and passing on its culture," he said.

For Kazheuka, these encounters capture what makes Hainan distinct at this stage of its development.

She pointed to the province's expanded visa-free policies and its growing role in China's broader push for international engagement.

"Hainan has been positioned as a key region for deepening global cooperation, and I believe it is already beginning to deliver tangible results," she said.

"China and Belarus share a strong bond, and ties between China and Russia are also growing closer. As a Hainan International Tourism Ambassador, I hope to play a greater role as a bridge between China and the Russian-speaking world."

Contact the writers at guojiatong@i21st.cn