On October 10, the Ministry of Commerce held a press conference on the 136th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), where officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant departments introduced the latest preparations. The 136th Canton Fair will be held in Guangzhou from October 15 to November 4 in three phases, with the online platform continuing its regular operations. Overall, this year’s fair boasts higher exhibition quality, stronger investment attraction, better integration of online and offline activities, and enhanced service experiences.
“The number of overseas buyers at the 135th Canton Fair reached nearly 250,000, setting a historical record. This year’s fair aims to further diversify recruitment methods and enhance precision and professionalism in attracting high-quality overseas buyers,” said Chu Shijia, Director of the China Foreign Trade Centre. As of October 9, 125,000 overseas buyers have pre-registered, with 75.7% from Belt and Road Initiative countries, 20% from BRICS nations, 17.7% from OECD member countries, 16.4% from RCEP member countries, 13.4% from the Middle East, and 12.5% from Europe and America. The buyers come from 203 countries and regions, with significant participation from overseas business associations.
In terms of industry categories, the highest numbers of pre-registered overseas buyers are from electronics and home appliances, machinery, textiles and clothing, consumer goods, and building materials. Additionally, 223 of the world’s top 250 retailers and major companies from various countries have confirmed their participation, representing a 24% increase from the previous session. Notable companies that have registered include Walmart (USA), Auchan (France), Tesco (UK), Metro (Germany), Daiso (Japan), Lulu (UAE), Arzum (Turkey), The Warehouse (New Zealand), and Havan (Brazil).
For foreign business representatives attending the fair, relevant departments will provide ample support services. “Recently, we have implemented a series of measures to facilitate foreign nationals, especially business professionals, coming to China. Participation in the 136th Canton Fair will be more convenient for overseas buyers,” said Tong Xuejun, Deputy Director-General of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted that the application materials for visa requests have been further simplified, allowing foreign buyers to apply for invitations online through the fair’s official website, which they can then use to apply for visas at any Chinese embassy or consulate.
This year, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has added and strengthened nearly 50 international routes, connecting over 230 destinations across five continents, with more than 1,700 international flights per week. Wei Min, Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, mentioned that during the fair, Guangzhou has prepared a quality and diversified series of business, travel, cultural, and sporting events to provide comprehensive services for foreign buyers in terms of “eating, lodging, transportation, tourism, shopping, and entertainment.” Currently, over 17,000 merchants in key areas of the city can accept foreign cards, and there are 326 tax refund stores in 11 districts, allowing overseas buyers to shop conveniently.
Xiao Lu, Deputy Director of the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted that digitalization and greening are important trends in international trade. As a “barometer” and “guiding indicator” for foreign trade, the Canton Fair actively aligns with these trends, showcasing new initiatives. This year’s fair features three new characteristics: increased participation of digital and green enterprises and products, more focus on green and digital-related supporting activities, and services that better align with the goals of digital and green development. “Among the participating enterprises, 57.8% are using technologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and the industrial internet to enhance their supply chains. Additionally, 55.9% of enterprises hold patents in green and low-carbon fields,” Xiao said. Various companies will showcase 390,000 digital intelligent products and over 1.04 million green low-carbon products at the fair, representing increases of 300% and 130%, respectively. It is reported that this year’s fair will host over 750 trade promotion activities to help participating enterprises stabilize orders and expand markets.
