Highlights of the 137th Canton Fair

The 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5 in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, with some 31,000 participating firms, the China Foreign Trade Center said on April 9.

Highlights
01 The total exhibition area will span 1.55 million square meters with about 74,000 booths, including nearly 73,000 for exports and about 1,600 for imports.
02 This fair will be divided into three phases: the first will focus on advanced manufacturing, the second on quality home furnishings, and the third on products that promote a better quality of life, involving 172 product zones.
03 For the first time, a special zone for service robots will be added in the first phase to focus on the latest achievements of China's AI development.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou is rolling out its newly upgraded city service system designed to enhance the experience for global visitors. The so-called "3E" system — comprising Efficient Biz, Easy Go, and Enjoy Life — aims to provide seamless support for exhibitors and buyers during the event, which runs from April 15 to May 5.
Guangzhou's efforts to streamline logistics include setting up dedicated channels at key entry points such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Pazhou Port for smoother customs clearance. New measures will expedite the transportation of goods, ensuring fast and efficient movement of exhibits. In addition, enhanced multilingual services and smart traffic management will improve the flow of visitors and vehicles to the exhibition halls.
The city is also focusing on boosting its travel infrastructure, with the new Metro Line 11 facilitating quick access to the Canton Fair Complex. Over 2,000 taxis and online ride-hailing vehicles will be available daily, along with parking lots that can accommodate 20,000 vehicles. The free hotline 960169 provides real-time language service support for overseas buyers at the Canton Fair.
ATM machines, foreign currency exchange counters, and other currency exchange facilities have been added at key areas such as airport terminals, hotels, and exhibition venues. Over 99.7% of key businesses across the city support foreign card payments. Additionally, all vendors within the Canton Fair exhibition halls accept foreign card payments, mobile payments, and cash, ensuring that exhibitors and visitors can easily make payments.

Guangzhou will also launch over 300 events including a cultural food festival and trade matchmaking sessions, allowing visitors to experience the city's vibrant food scene and local innovations. Additionally, the city offers an array of cultural and tourism activities, including guided tours to historic landmarks, ensuring a well-rounded experience for international buyers.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and has been hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.

Editor: Joyce
Sources: Xinhua, GDToday