<img src=' alt='The Shanghai New International Expo Center, March 12, 2026. /VCG'
When flights from Singapore landed at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport on Thursday, dozens of overseas visitors skipped visa counters entirely. They boarded shuttle buses directly to the Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, where the Appliance & Electronics World Expo (AWE) 2026, Asia’s largest home appliance and consumer electronics expo, awaited them.
This was China’s latest experiment in reducing friction for global business exchange.
AWE 2026, running from Thursday to Sunday, adopted a “dual-venue” format for the first time. The main exhibition sprawled across 13 halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, while a new annex at the Eastern Hub – a special zone with unique visa policies – hosted cutting-edge technology displays. Total exhibition space reached 170,000 square meters.
Policy breakthrough
The Eastern Hub, operational since late 2025, represents China’s most ambitious attempt to reimagine trade shows. Under immigration regulations issued July 2025, foreign nationals invited by registered companies can enter the zone and stay up to 30 days without a visa, provided they submit information 48 hours in advance.
<img src=' alt='A bird's-eye view of the Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, Shanghai, China. /China Media Group'
For Shanghai-based ULS Robotics, the difference is dramatic. Marketing partner Zhang Hua told Jiefang Daily he invited over 20 overseas clients during CES in January. Previously, getting those clients to China meant navigating lengthy visa applications. Now they simply register and fly.
AI leaves the screen
Tesla brought its third-generation humanoid robot – the first version slated for mass production. Company representatives said Tesla plans to begin production by late 2026 with a long-term capacity target of 1 million units. At scale, each robot is expected to cost under $20,000.
Unitree, MagicLab and Zhiyuan Robotics also displayed humanoid robots. Some, like Unitree’s G1 “Iron Fist Champion,” performed boxing demonstrations.
<img src=' alt='A robot boxing in the ring at the AWE, Shanghai, China, March 12, 2026. /VCG'
But the most striking applications weren’t humanoids – they were machines designed to disappear into daily life. Haier unveiled what it calls the first L4-level smart appliance system, using computer vision to recognize food, clothing and human presence. A refrigerator now identifies ingredients across both compartments. An air conditioner tracks a person’s position in real time, directing airflow accordingly.
Boundaries dissolve
Perhaps no exhibit better illustrated blurring industry lines than Dreame Technology’s. The company, best known for robot vacuums, rented an entire hall to showcase electric vehicles, smartphones and aerospace projects. The Nebula Next 01X concept SUV features solid-state battery technology targeting 450 watt-hours per kilogram – potentially doubling current EV range.
<img src=' alt='Dreame's Nebula Next 01X concept SUV on display at the AWE in Shanghai, China, March 12, 2026. /VCG'
Roborock displayed the G-Rover, a robot vacuum with articulated “legs” that climbs stairs – first unveiled at CES in January. The machine lifts its front leg to the next step, cleans that stair, then pulls itself up.
What it means
The 1,200 exhibiting companies suggest two shifts. First, competition now centers on ecosystems rather than individual products. Haier’s L4 appliances, Huawei’s HarmonyOS smart home and JD.com’s AI platform all reflect this reality.
Second, China is repositioning itself as a venue for global technology exchange, not just manufacturing. The Oriental Hub’s visa-free policy makes the border, at least for 30 days, optional.