Canton Fair Launches with Record Exhibitors and Buyers

The 139th Canton Fair is set to launch on Wednesday in Guangzhou, showcasing a record number of exhibitors and attracting more than 210,000 pre-registered global buyers, marking a significant 20 percent increase from the previous year.

This year, over 32,000 enterprises are participating in the fair, surpassing past events. Among the registered buyers, 290 major global companies have confirmed their attendance, reflecting a robust 30 percent growth compared to last year, according to Wang Zhihua, the director general of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

Wang highlighted that the buyer demographic has diversified greatly, with increased participation from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as notable representation from Latin America and Africa.

Despite recent fluctuations in attendance from Middle Eastern buyers at other international exhibitions, enthusiasm for the Canton Fair remains strong. Zhu Yong, director of the China Foreign Trade Centre, emphasized the strong commitment of these buyers during a press conference.

To better accommodate Middle Eastern enterprises unable to attend in person, Zhu mentioned the introduction of special service packages, including online business matching, livestreamed tours, and enhanced support for companies already in China.

Zhu further noted the fair's essential role as a global platform, aiming to share new opportunities for China's continued development.

For this session, nine new themed zones will be introduced, featuring sectors like smart wearables, display technologies, and consumer drones. Moreover, areas for electronic consumer goods, new materials, and industrial automation have been expanded to cater to the evolving needs of buyers.

Among the participating exhibitors, more than 11,000 represent specialized, high-quality enterprises, which is a 5.1 percent increase from previous sessions. Notably, of the over 4.65 million exhibits, 23 percent are new products, 22 percent are green products, and 25 percent possess independent intellectual property rights.

This edition of the Canton Fair holds particular significance as it occurs at the outset of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, emphasizing continuity and expectations set forth by the earlier plans.

Founded in 1957 during China's first Five-Year Plan, the Canton Fair continues to thrive after 70 years, maintaining its reputation as a crucial trade platform while adapting to current market conditions.

Surveys indicate that nearly 20 percent of the exhibitors have commenced overseas investments, generating over 200,000 local jobs and contributing positively to the economic and social development of host countries, Wang observed.

Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, reiterated that the Canton Fair not only facilitates business transactions but also fosters knowledge sharing and collaboration among countries, enhancing growth opportunities for companies and entire industries.