A hostess promotes gloves during a livestream. [Photo/yiwu.com.cn]

Because of the epidemic, businesses in Yiwu have embraced the use of livestreaming promotions to arrest declining demand. From January to July, more than 87,200 livestreams were broadcast in Yiwu, generating 11.04 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in sales revenue.

More than 100 livestream hosts have helped companies in the Yiwu International Trade Market sell their products, in turn generating thousands of orders per day.

"The epidemic has forced us to adjust our business strategy and turn offline sales into online sales through WeChat, TikTok and other means. Livestreaming enables customers to see new products in real time," said Tao Xiaoyan, chairman of Yiwu Jewelry Accessories Industry Association.

At present, Yiwu has more than 40 livestreaming service agencies and more than 3,000 hosts. About 60,000 people work in related industries that generated sales of more than 20 billion yuan in 2019.

Meanwhile, the local government has issued several policies to promote the livestreaming sales model and improve the standardization and branding of the industry.

In addition, Yiwu has issued the first batch of vocational skills certificates for livestreaming to more than 4,000 people. The Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College has also established China's first livestreaming school and national training materials were released during the e-commerce expo.