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The 2024 World Pearl Congress commenced in Zhuji on May 20, marking a significant milestone in the city's efforts to advance its pearl industry.

With over half a century of development, Zhuji's pearl industry has achieved remarkable success, boasting an annual sales volume exceeding 50 billion yuan. It accounts for 80 percent of the domestic market and 73 percent of the global market share.

Presently, Zhuji is home to over 9,000 pearl-related enterprises, making it the largest freshwater pearl farming, research, processing, and trading hub in the country.

From January to March this year, the sales revenue of Zhuji's pearl industry reached 11.2 billion yuan, marking a 19.5 percent year-on-year increase. Online sales alone amounted to 6.5 billion yuan, representing an 18.9 percent year-on-year growth.

Zhuji is currently focusing on the development of ecological farming, international trade, high-end design, and biopharmaceuticals, while nurturing emerging formats like livestreaming and cross-border e-commerce. According to data, the regional brand value of "Shanxiahu Pearls" has reached 76 billion yuan, with a brand premium exceeding 150 percent.

Furthermore, Zhuji is set to launch its "Future Factory" pilot project for the pearl industry. The "Future Factory" will prioritize intelligent upgrades and technological innovation, injecting technology into every aspect of the pearl industry chain, including eco-friendly farming, design, processing, and marketing.