The 135th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, is set to open on April 15 and will run until May 5 in Guangzhou, the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province. Officials from various ministries, including commerce and foreign affairs, provided updates at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Monday.
“The upcoming event is poised to surpass previous spring editions in scale, with record numbers in enterprise participation, exhibition area, and early overseas buyer registrations,” said Wang Shouwen, Vice Commerce Minister of China.
Approximately 28,600 enterprises will participate in the export fair, covering an impressive 1.55 million square meters of exhibition space. Notably, over 4,300 companies will be first-time exhibitors at the country’s oldest trade fair, established in 1957. The import fair is expected to host 680 enterprises.
To date, around 93,000 buyers from 215 countries and regions have completed pre-registration, and more than 220 commercial and industrial organizations plan to send delegations to Guangzhou.
This year’s spring session is anticipated to showcase China’s commitment to high-level opening up in five significant ways: increased innovation among participating enterprises, expansion in digital technologies, heightened quality standards, support for enhancing supply chain stability, and continued scaling up of the event with streamlined services.
Innovative and sustainable products featuring independent intellectual property rights will have a stronger presence than in previous editions. Approximately 3,600 enterprises will exhibit their advancements in digital technologies, ranging from automated guided vehicles to AI-powered translation devices. Additionally, the fair’s online platform will be operational, enhancing accessibility for global participants.
Over 6,700 of the 28,600 Chinese participants have contributed to establishing domestic and international industry standards, ensuring the quality of both products and the fair itself.
While consumer products have traditionally been at the forefront of the Canton Fair, there has been a notable increase in products aimed at stabilizing the global supply chain in recent years. China continues to bolster global cooperation, with the fair having attracted 9.3 million overseas visits over its 67-year history. In a recent survey, 94 percent of participants reported expanding their international market presence through the fair.
As one of the world’s largest trade events, the Canton Fair serves as a vital platform for international trade cooperation and economic exchange. The 135th edition is expected to further strengthen China’s role in global trade and offer unprecedented opportunities for businesses worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
