On the morning of March 1, the 32nd East China Fair (ECF) opened at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Themed "Focusing on quality upgrades and making solid progress in the high-quality development of foreign trade", the opening ceremony was graced by guests including Zhu Min, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, and Zhang Xi'an, vice-president of the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Textiles, both delivering insightful speeches. Lian Ping, chairman of the China Chief Economist Forum and vice-president of the Shanghai Economic Society, also delivered the opening speech.

Among the attendees were Zhang Jie, vice-president of the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts; Kenji Mizuta, president of JETRO's Shanghai representative office; Ji Shengjun, president of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export and president of Orient International (Holding) Co.; and Li Dong, president of Donghao Lansheng Group. The opening ceremony was presided over by Shen Weihua, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.