On April 28th, International Online released an article titled “Conclusion of the Second Phase of the 135th Canton Fair: Over 190,000 Overseas Buyers Attend in Person.” The content is as follows:
The second phase of the 135th Canton Fair was successfully held from April 23rd to 27th. Despite facing extreme weather conditions such as consecutive heavy rainfalls, global exhibitors and buyers showed unabated enthusiasm and actively participated. The continued manifestation of the “super traffic” effect of the Canton Fair fully demonstrates its attractiveness to the global business community as the “first exhibition in China
Since the opening of the current Canton Fair, the venue has been bustling with a continuous flow of visitors, showing vibrant energy. As of April 27th, a total of 191,928 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions attended the fair, marking a 22.1% increase compared to the same period in the previous session. Among them, buyers from countries participating in the “Belt and Road” initiative reached 124,342, accounting for 64.8%; those from RCEP countries totaled 46,663, accounting for 24.3%; and buyers from Europe and America reached 38,864, accounting for 20.2%.
Design innovation and green, low-carbon initiatives emerged as major highlights. The second phase featured 9,820 offline exhibiting enterprises, including over 1,400 high-quality enterprises with titles such as national-level high-tech enterprises, manufacturing champions, and specialized and innovative small giants, an increase of 300 compared to the previous session. Enterprises have shown a greater emphasis on using new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries, as well as on enhancing the “newness” and “greenness” of daily consumer products. The emergence of more innovative, high-quality, and low-carbon products, which embody the new productive forces, has become a new hallmark of Chinese manufacturing in expanding international markets.
The digital upgrade of online platforms empowered offline exhibitions. The more sophisticated online platforms provided convenience for buyers to search for information in advance, make appointments for offline negotiations, and explore more business opportunities. As of April 27th, exhibitors had uploaded over 2.5 million exhibits, with their online shops receiving a total of 2.99 million visits. The cumulative number of visitors reached 8 million, with overseas visitors accounting for 89%. Additionally, 366,814 overseas buyers from 229 countries and regions participated online, with significant growth in buyers from ASEAN, RCEP, and BRICS countries.
Trade matchmaking activities achieved positive results. By April 27th, the fair had successfully organized 216 “Trade Bridges” events and global supply and procurement matchmaking activities. Among them, more than 201 matchmaking events attracted over 340 buyers and over 1,000 suppliers for one-on-one negotiations, with intended procurement amounts totaling approximately $250 million. Various industry activities, such as promoting new productive forces and high-quality development of industries, and facilitating high-quality outbound trade, were held. Additionally, 66 events featuring new product launches were organized to encourage and guide enterprises in research and innovation and to promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. A special area for import and export trade activities involving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s “9+2” cities was established, and the Canton Fair Food and Music Festival “Greater Bay Area Night” provided economic and trade cooperation and exchange services for exhibitors and participants from the Greater Bay Area.
Comprehensive service assurance withstood severe tests. In recent days, Guangdong experienced continuous heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions, leading to widespread flight and high-speed rail delays and cancellations, posing severe challenges to the second phase of the fair. With strong support from the Ministry of Commerce, the Guangdong Provincial Government, and relevant authorities in Guangzhou, the Canton Fair promptly initiated emergency plans, strengthened security measures, extended exhibition hours, installed rain protection facilities, expedited entry security checks, and introduced various humane services, effectively ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the second phase, garnering recognition from exhibitors and visitors worldwide. The third phase of the 135th Canton Fair will be held from May 1st to May 5th, themed “A Better Life,” featuring 21 zones across 5 major categories, including toys and maternal and child products, fashion, household textiles, stationery, and health and leisure, with 11,495 offline exhibiting enterprises, including 262 import exhibitors from 29 countries and regions. Global business leaders are cordially invited to visit and procure at the Canton Fair.
