In June 2024, Tai'an launched a live-streaming e-commerce hub in partnership with a leading platform operator on Douyin. Today, the hub has become a dynamic local e-commerce base, helping local scenic spots and restaurants gain visibility while enabling rural farmers to sell agricultural products at better prices.

To date, the hub has processed more than 5.4 million orders, with online retail sales reaching 710 million yuan ($100.44 million), establishing a scalable e-commerce ecosystem.

Through cooperation with Douyin's leading platform operator, Tai'an has integrated top livestreaming resources, mature operational models, and a broad resource network. The hub has built a national network of 856 content creators and obtained three key platform certifications from Douyin.

Talent development remains central to its strategy. The hub has partnered with local vocational colleges to establish an e-commerce training base that has trained over 3,000 professionals to date. Young talent like intern host Chen Yiting have quickly adapted to the fast-paced industry through systematic training.

Many young people like Chen are choosing to stay in Tai'an, injecting fresh impetus that fuels the city's e-commerce development.

A distinctive initiative is the "village secretary live-streaming matrix", which has developed nine official village influencers and formed a 19-member provincial live-streaming group. Village secretary Wu Hongzhen from Beigucheng village in Tai'an's Ningyang county regularly promotes local produce like tomatoes, receiving real-time coaching on presentation and engagement from the hub's professional team.

The hub also drives agricultural sales through targeted campaigns. In April, a live-stream promotion event generated 1.85 million yuan in gross merchandise value through direct supply and instant delivery. In May, another live-streaming event at the foot of Taishan Mountain gathered over 80 suppliers and 200 products, significantly boosting sales of local specialties like Tai'an cherries and Feicheng peaches.

Looking ahead, Tai'an's e-commerce hub plans to expand its model to neighboring counties, promoting coordinated regional e-commerce growth through expertise sharing, talent development, and benchmark creation.