The 135th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) opened in Guangzhou on April 15. As of April 17, a total of 107,722 overseas buyers attended offline, coming from 212 countries and regions, representing a 23% increase compared to the previous session. The enthusiastic participation of overseas buyers demonstrates the world's confidence in Chinese manufacturing and economic development. With more innovation and digitization, the Canton Fair once again signals China's commitment to expanding its opening up and sharing development opportunities with the world.
Under the theme of "Advanced Manufacturing," the first phase of this Canton Fair highlights advanced industries and technological support, showcasing new productive forces. Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce and China's chief international trade negotiator, stated that among the exhibitors at this Canton Fair, there are over 5,500 national-level high-tech enterprises, manufacturing champions, and "little giant" enterprises specializing in unique and new products, representing a 20% increase from the previous session.
As a rapidly emerging new business model in foreign trade in recent years, cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehousing businesses collide with the long-standing Canton Fair, sparking extraordinary results. One highlight of this Canton Fair is the first-ever Cross-border E-commerce and Overseas Warehousing Exhibition Area, covering an area of 3,000 square meters and featuring 158 companies organized by 11 provinces. From edible oil production equipment in a factory to scissors or a cup, products of various types from around the world can be sold to buyers worldwide through cross-border e-commerce. The exhibition area showcases a rich variety of products, attracting a continuous stream of buyers from around the world.
In recent years, China has continuously expanded its opening up to the outside world and improved services in payment, transportation, and other areas to enhance the experience of domestic and foreign businessmen. Meanwhile, favorable policies such as export tax rebates have been provided to foreign trade enterprises to actively promote the development of import and export trade. Ensuring the smooth flow of personnel between China and other countries is an important measure to provide high-level services for opening up. So far, China has concluded mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries and achieved full visa exemption with 23 countries. Overseas buyers attending the Canton Fair can fully utilize visa-free policies to enjoy corresponding conveniences, while also simplifying visa invitation letter requirements. During the Canton Fair, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of foreigners arriving in Guangzhou. Expanding foreign exchange channels and promoting convenient payment methods enable overseas buyers to not only see new products and trends in China but also experience convenience and hospitality, fully experiencing China's vitality and enthusiasm.
