英语新闻丨Consumers worldwide riding cross-border e-commerce wave

If you are living abroad, don't be surprised if one day you see your neighbor ride past you on a convenient electric three-wheeler. Most likely, he or she purchased this quirky sanbengzi—as it is called in Chinaon an online platform. Thanks to cross-border e-commerce platforms, what was once a common sight in China's alleyways is now a hit on some foreign streets. Many overseas shoppers are now buying many things—be it Christmas presents or entire vehicles—from China.如果你生活在国外，有一天看到邻居骑着便捷的电动三轮车从你身边经过，千万不要感到惊讶。很可能，他或她就是在网上平台购买了这种奇特的“三蹦子”，在中国它被叫做“三蹦子”。得益于跨境电商平台，这种曾经常见于中国胡同里的交通工具，如今已风靡部分海外街头。从圣诞礼物到整车，许多海外消费者正越来越多地从中国采购商品。Many smart buyers abroad have already joined millions of buyers who are swarming Chinese online stores during this year's "618" online shopping carnival that culminates on June 18. What began as a domestic sales event has evolved into a global shopping phenomenon, kicking off in mid-May. This mid-year extravaganza showcases not only China's powerful e-commerce capabilities but also its evolving foreign trade model.今年的“618”购物狂欢节将于6月18日结束，许多精明的海外买家已经加入了涌入中国网店的数百万购物者的行列。这场始于国内的促销活动，如今已发展成为一场全球购物盛宴，并于5月中旬拉开帷幕。这场年中盛会不仅展示了中国强大的电商实力，也展现了其不断发展的外贸模式。Chinese e-commerce apps are now among the most downloaded and favored apps in many countries, while social media platforms there are flooded with viral posts flaunting must-buy lists. This year's "618" shopping festival could not have come at a more opportune moment. According to the General Administration of Customs, China's foreign trade has maintained steady growth despite a complex global environment. The first five months of 2025 saw foreign trade reach 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.49 trillion).如今，中国电商应用已成为许多国家下载量最高、最受欢迎的应用之一，社交媒体平台上也充斥着各种热门帖子，纷纷推荐必买清单。今年的“618”购物节恰逢其时。据海关总署统计，尽管全球环境复杂，但中国对外贸易仍保持稳定增长。2025年前五个月，中国对外贸易额达17.94万亿元人民币（约合2.49万亿美元）。The momentum reflects a deeper transition: from relying purely on volume and low-cost exports toward a more flexible, specialized and innovation-driven model. The"618" shopping festival perfectly illustrates this transformation. Beyond the steep discounts, cross-border platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and TikTok Shop are deploying AI-powered logistics, hyper-personalized marketing algorithms and seamless digital payment systems to connect Chinese manufacturers directly with overseas consumers. For example, Taobao extended its free shipping coverage to 12 countries and regions this year.这种势头反映出中国正在经历更深层次的转型：从单纯依赖数量和低成本出口，转向更加灵活、专业化和创新驱动的模式。“618”购物节完美地诠释了这种转型。除了大幅优惠，跨境平台如AliExpress、Temu和TikTok Shop正通过AI驱动的物流系统、个性化营销算法和无缝的数字支付系统，将中国制造商直接连接到全球消费者。例如，淘宝今年将其免邮服务扩展至12个国家和地区。The success of the"618" shopping festival is supported by a comprehensive ecosystem that includes upgraded manufacturing, green energy transitions, targeted policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, and expanded financial support for exporters.“618”购物节的成功得益于一个全面的生态系统，包括制造业升级、绿色能源转型、针对中小企业的定向政策以及扩大对出口商的金融支持。More importantly, the structure of exports is shifting toward higher-value-added products, as borne out by a notable increase in shipments of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells. These sectors align perfectly with China's dual-carbon goals and its ambitions to lead the global green transition. So while cheap T-shirts and home appliances are still selling, they now share container space with EV charging stations and photovoltaic modules.更重要的是，出口结构正在向高附加值产品转变，电动汽车、锂电池和太阳能电池的出货量显著增长就是明证。这些行业与中国的“双碳”目标及其引领全球绿色转型的雄心壮志完美契合。因此，虽然廉价的T恤和家用电器仍在销售，但它们现在与电动汽车充电站和光伏组件共享集装箱空间。Of course, challenges remain. Geopolitical tensions, rising trade protectionism and a sluggish global recovery all pose real risks. But Chinese factories and their foreign buyers are responding not with confrontation, but with adaptation. In previous years, May and June used to be the off season for the foreign trade industry. However, the recent 90-day tariff-reduction window between China and the United States has triggered a surge in procurement demand from US businesses, transforming the once off season into a booming overseas version of the "618" shopping festival.当然，挑战依然存在。地缘政治紧张局势、贸易保护主义抬头以及全球经济复苏乏力都构成了现实风险。但中国制造商和海外买家并未选择对抗，而是主动适应。往年，五六月曾是外贸行业的淡季。今年，中美之间短暂的90天关税减免窗口期引发了美国企业采购需求激增，将传统淡季“逆转”为海外版“618”的热销季。This year's "618" has therefore become a symbol of strategic transformation in foreign trade. It represents China's confidence in its economic fundamentals, the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs, and the agility of its supply chains. And if the carnival is anything to go by, the world is clicking back.今年的“618”也因此成为对外贸易战略转型的象征。它体现了中国对经济基本面的信心、企业家的创新精神以及供应链的灵活应变能力。而如果说这场狂欢有什么可借鉴之处，那就是世界正在复苏。resilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/n.韧性；适应力procurement/prəˈkjʊəmənt/n.采购ecosystem/ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/n.生态系统，产业生态transformative/trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/adj.变革性的；有重大影响的