Canton Fair Set to Launch April 15 Featuring 30000 Exhibitors

The 139th China Import and Export Fair, commonly referred to as the Canton Fair, is set to commence on April 15, featuring more than 30,000 exhibitors. This premier event aims to enhance global trade and underscores China's leading role in the commerce sector.

The exhibition will boast an impressive area of 1.55 million square meters, with 75,500 booths made available to attract a diverse array of corporate participants. This year's fair represents a significant opportunity for networking and business opportunities on an international scale.

A record-breaking number of companies have applied for branded booths at this edition, with applications exceeding 6,000 for the first time, indicating a 21 percent increase compared to the last fair held in October 2025. Out of those, approximately 2,770 enterprises were selected for these prestigious slots, marking a 7 percent rise over the previous session.

Notably, the average innovation score of selected exhibitors has risen by 9 percent, illustrating enhancements in research and development capacities and an overall提升 in the quality of goods on display, according to data from the China Foreign Trade Centre (CFTC).

Continuing the trend from the previous session, the 139th Canton Fair will emphasize products characterized as 'new, green, and intelligent.' The fair has garnered substantial interest in service robots and smart medical technology, which will again be highlighted in this upcoming event.

To further improve the experience for participants, the Canton Fair will maintain its high-tech dedicated zones and introduce eight new specialized exhibition areas. These will include segments focused on smart wearables, agricultural drones, and functional tech-enhanced fabrics, among others.

On the buyers' side, approximately 30 global partners have committed to sending delegations, including entities such as the US-China Chamber of Commerce and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from Australia. These organizations aim to facilitate direct matchmaking between suppliers and their members during the fair.

For instance, there is notable interest from members of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce in sourcing increasingly popular consumer electronics like smartphones and household appliances, addressing a growing demand in Australia's market.

The Canton Fair collaborates with 227 leading industry associations and trade service organizations across 110 countries and regions, enhancing its global outreach and effectiveness in fostering international trade relationships, as reported by the CFTC.

In a bid to improve user experience, the Canton Fair has upgraded its mobile app to include advanced AI functionalities. These enhancements will assist visitors with AI-driven search features, instant business card exchanges, and convenient meal ordering capabilities.

Navigation through the exhibition's extensive space has been upgraded for precision, enabling accurate booth-level navigation across all 25 exhibition halls. The virtual assistant 'ASKME' has been enhanced to offer AI business services and assist in itinerary planning while providing timely information to visitors.

Additionally, to support exhibitors' working capital requirements, nine banks have rolled out customized financial packages specifically for the Canton Fair, establishing a collective credit line valued at 300 billion yuan, approximately 43.5 billion dollars.