SHANGHAI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai has designated 30 online or offline platforms for exhibitions and trade of imported goods, functions that are similar to the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) slated for November.

The platforms include an import section of the online shopping site Alibaba and the offline Donghao Lansheng "Belt and Road" Import Exhibition Center in National Exhibition and Convention Center, where the CIIE will be held.

General Manager Chen Weiquan said the center, covering a total area of 5,000 square meters, will display health, elderly care, sports, and baby products.

"I hope, via the CIIE, we can explore new trade patterns and bring more Japanese products to China," said Tomoaki Komori, managing director of Shanghai Takashimaya Co., Ltd, a Japanese commodity dealer.

The platforms were designated to expand the benefits brought by the six-day CIIE so that import exhibitions and trades can be available to businesses permanently, said Shang Yuying, director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.