By Zhao Yu

The 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on November 5, drawing exhibitors and buyers from all over the world.

Ningbo made a strong showing: more than 2,000 companies and over 7,000 buyers from the city registered to participate this year. The Ningbo delegation came ready to "shop globally" — signing deals, exploring new partnerships, and filling their "shopping carts" with the latest in global innovation.

Cracking the Durian Code

At the Ningbo Shiboshi Group booth, durians were getting CT scans. A quick scan of a QR code brought up a full report for a Musang King durian — 1.54 kilograms, five pods, 30.64% flesh yield — along with a 10-second video showing the fruit's scan. This demo was powered by Shiboshi's "Durian Detective" Non-Invasive Intelligent Inspection System, which made its debut at this year's expo.

"We apply CT imaging technology to durians, then use AI algorithms to analyze 13 key indicators, including weight, pod count, and seed size," said Wang Lin, Product Director of Ningbo Shiboshi Group. "It allows for precise grading and non-invasive inspection, with 98% accuracy."

For years, the durian trade has been plagued by uncertainty — buyers could only guess what was inside the tough husk, leading to high spoilage rates and customer complaints. The new system changes that by giving importers and retailers a transparent way to assess quality before purchase.

The technology also has broader potential. Shiboshi plans to extend it to other tropical fruits such as jackfruit and coconut, paving the way for standardized cross-border quality inspection across Southeast Asia. In October, Shiboshi rolled out the "Durian Detective" at the Ningbo Cold Chain Distribution Center — a move that capitalizes on Ningbo's logistical strengths. "Durians shipped from Malaysia can reach the Ningbo Cold Chain Distribution Center within 40 minutes of arriving at port," said Wang. "It's only 20 minutes from Ningbo Lishe Airport to our Smart Durian Center."

Looking ahead, the Ningbo Cold Chain Distribution Center plans to expand its operations across fresh durian, semi-processed durian, and ready-to-eat durian products, driving new growth in China's tropical fruit market.

Wellness, With a Charge

Electronic versions of caffeine and motion sickness medicine may sound futuristic, but they are tangible realities at this year's CIIE.

In the Innovation Incubation zone, WAT Medical Technology Co., Ltd. has been on display an anti-motion sickness bracelet. It is worn on the inner forearm, about two to three finger widths from the wrist crease. Once on, it delivers a faint electrical pulse, producing a tingling, numbing sensation.

"The electrical pulses stimulate the median nerve, which then signals the vagus nerve to inhibit the neural responses that trigger nausea and vomiting," explained Ji Hualei, founder of WAT Medical, as he demonstrated proper use. "This product has obtained multiple international certifications, including FDA, ISO, and CE."

The company's caffeine replacement bracelet and headache patch (applied to the forehead) both rely on the same technology. "The underlying principle is gentle nerve stimulation through electrical pulses," Ji said. "The caffeine replacement bracelet can relieve fatigue and improve focus, making it suitable for people sensitive to caffeine."

While WAT Medical's products have been sold in more than 30 countries, the Chinese market remained largely untapped — until three years ago, when the company made its CIIE debut. Back then, WAT Medical occupied a tiny 1.5-square-meter booth, barely large enough for a single table.

"Unexpectedly, we drew major attention from both mainstream and social media on the first day," Ji recalled. By the second day, their modest e-commerce inventory sold out in 24 hours, prompting six staff members to rush to the warehouse overnight to pack and ship orders.

Though the company was founded in Canada, it established a presence in Ningbo 11 years ago, when a Ningbo investment promotion team visited Silicon Valley to present the city's industrial environment and policies. "We pitched our business and the collaboration came together quickly," Ji said. The company later established operations in Ningbo, where it expanded rapidly and scaled up production of all three wearable devices.