The 135th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is set to take place in Guangzhou, Guangdong, from April 15th to May 5th, with its online platform continuing year-round operations.

Having spanned 68 years, the Canton Fair has solidified its position as a vital conduit between China and the rest of the world, serving as a testament to China's commitment to openness in trade. Guangzhou, known as the "Southern Gateway" of China, has embraced the ethos of "Canton Fair, Global Share," continually expanding its high-level openness and enlarging its international network.

A gathering of global partners

Over 10 million overseas buyers attracted cumulatively

The Canton Fair has welcomed guests from all corners of the globe, epitomizing its status as China's longest-standing, largest-scale, most diverse, and most effective international trade exhibition. Since its inception in 1957, the Canton Fair has persevered through various challenges, bearing witness to the expansion of Guangzhou's international network.

According to data from the official Canton Fair website, the number of overseas buyers has steadily risen from 1,223 in the inaugural session to over 10,000 in the autumn session of 1971. With the advent of reform and opening-up policies and China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the Canton Fair has become even more dynamic and open, attracting a continuous influx of global buyers. In the autumn session of 2000, the number of buyers exceeded 100,000, and just seven years later, the spring session of 2007 witnessed a breakthrough of over 200,000 buyers. It was also in the spring session of 2007 that the Canton Fair officially changed its name from the "China Export Commodities Fair" to the "China Import and Export Fair."

Looking back at the Canton Fair in 2023, the first comprehensive offline event held after the pandemic, the spring session attracted nearly 130,000 buyers. Just six months later, the autumn session of the 134th fair saw attendance figures close to 200,000, essentially returning to pre-pandemic levels.

By the end of the 134th session, the Canton Fair had accumulated over 10 million attendees both physically and online, effectively promoting trade exchanges and friendly interactions between China and various countries and regions worldwide. As of March 31st, the number of overseas buyers pre-registered for the 135th Canton Fair had reached 93,000, with a rapid increase observed every day.

Chu Shijia, Director of the China Foreign Trade Center, stated that this year, as China's doors to the world continue to widen and visa policies improve, with international flights accelerating their resumption, global investment promotion efforts have yielded positive results. Currently, there has been a significant increase in pre-registration numbers for overseas buyers, invitation letter applications for the Canton Fair, and hotel bookings in Guangzhou compared to the previous session. This indicates a strengthening willingness among overseas buyers to attend, and the 135th Canton Fair is expected to see a new growth in the number of overseas buyers in attendance.

Canton Fair, Global Share

Establishing trade relations with 229 countries and regions

In addition to quantity, the origin of overseas buyers at the Canton Fair is also expanding. From the inaugural session with 19 countries and regions to the 134th session with 229 countries and regions, there has been an eleven-fold increase over 67 years, with sources spanning the globe.

The upcoming 135th Canton Fair has also seen enthusiastic participation from global buyers. According to preliminary statistics, as of March 31st, overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions have pre-registered, with leading countries including India, the United States, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. Looking at regions, the United States has grown by 13.9%, OECD countries by 5.9%, Middle Eastern countries by 61.6%, Belt and Road Initiative countries by 69.5%, and RCEP countries by 13.8%.

The international reach of the Canton Fair is also reflected in the changing number of global partners. Since 2004, the China Foreign Trade Center has initiated the Canton Fair Global Cooperative Partnership Program, based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, to establish partnerships with strong and influential business institutions abroad, actively expanding the Canton Fair's "circle of friends."

Data shows that during the spring session of 2018 (the 123rd session), the Canton Fair signed cooperation agreements with 113 overseas institutions from 67 countries and regions. By the spring session of 2023 (the 133rd session), the number of global partners had increased to 186, covering 102 countries and regions. Currently, the Canton Fair has 195 global partners.

Bridging nations, strengthening bonds

Establishing ties with 106 international sister cities and hosting 65 international conferences last year

Guangzhou remains China's only foreign trade port that has never closed in over 2,000 years, serving as a pivotal gateway for international exchange. Embracing openness and inclusivity, this millennia-old commercial hub has implemented a proactive open-door strategy in recent years, constructing high-level international communication centers and warmly welcoming the world.

In 2023, Guangzhou became truly recognized as an "international salon" as it hosted a series of 65 significant international conferences, including the Canton Fair, the "Understanding China" Conference, the Imperial Springs International Forum, the World Media Summit, the Global Mayors Forum, the Fortune Global 500 Summit, the Routes World Forum, the World Ports Conference, the Maritime Silk Road Expo, the Annual Investment Conference China, and the Asia Youth Leaders Forum.

From Fukuoka, Japan, to Los Angeles, USA, and from Hanoi, Vietnam, to Chiang Mai, Thailand, Guangzhou has established friendly relations with 106 cities in 68 countries to date. This remarkable achievement highlights Guangzhou's commitment to fostering international friendship and cooperation. At the end of 2000, Guangzhou had only 16 sister cities worldwide. However, in just over 20 years, this number has surged to 106, marking a significant increase of 6.6 times. This expansion reflects Guangzhou's warm hospitality and its dedication to strengthening bonds with cities across the globe.

The city boasts the Consulate General of the United States in Guangzhou, the Consulate General of Russia in Guangzhou, and the Consulate General of France. With the recent inauguration of the Iraqi Consulate General in Guangzhou on March 21st, the city now hosts 69 foreign consulates, ranking second in the country behind only Shanghai, further enhancing its international appeal.

According to the incomplete data released by the Nandu Big Data Institute, over 20 leaders and dignitaries from around the world have visited the city since 2023, including Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, French President Emmanuel Macron, Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Nauru President David Adeang, Micronesian President Wesley Simina, and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Top executives from multinational corporations, including ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, Procter & Gamble Global Chairman Jon Moeller, and Amway Global CEO Milind Pant, have also made Guangzhou a popular destination for business visits.

Zheng Yongnian, Chairman of the Institute of the Studies for the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao), Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and former Director of the Qianhai Institute for International Affairs, emphasized Guangzhou's historical significance in China's three waves of opening-up. He stressed the city's pivotal role in leading high-quality development initiatives.

At the beginning of this year, Guangzhou unveiled its "Urban Design of Guangzhou towards 2049: Direction and Practice," with a vision to "build a vibrant central world city." Anchored in four dimensions - global, national, GBA, and provincial capital - the plan positions Guangzhou as a "central world city, leading national central city, open core engine of the Greater Bay Area, and high-energy provincial capital city" for development.