Overview
On April 15, the 139th Canton Fair—hailed as “China’s Premier Trade Fair”—grandly opened in Pazhou, Guangzhou. To date, the number of pre-registered overseas buyers has surpassed 210,000. This edition of the fair features a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters, 75,700 booths, and over 32,000 participating companies—all three core metrics reaching record highs. Amid a global economic environment fraught with uncertainty, thousands of international buyers have crossed oceans and mountains to cast a resounding “vote of confidence” in the resilience of China’s supply chain and its manufacturing prowess.
From a “Break-the-Ice” Bridge to a Cornerstone of Global Trade
Since its inception in 1957, the Canton Fair has, over 70 years of development, consistently served as a vital economic and trade hub connecting China to the world. From breaking through trade blockades in the early years of the People’s Republic, to introducing new business models such as processing trade in 1978, and on to the comprehensive prosperity following China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, the Canton Fair has continuously evolved. Today, it is not only a vast gateway for foreign goods entering the Chinese market but also the world’s longest-running, largest-scale, and most comprehensive international trade fair.
On April 15, the 139th Canton Fair—hailed as “China’s Premier Trade Fair”—grandly opened in Pazhou, Guangzhou. To date, the number of pre-registered overseas buyers has surpassed 210,000. This edition of the fair features a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters, 75,700 booths, and over 32,000 participating companies—all three core metrics reaching record highs. Amid a global economic environment fraught with uncertainty, thousands of international buyers have crossed oceans and mountains to cast a resounding “vote of confidence” in the resilience of China’s supply chain and its manufacturing prowess.
From a “Break-the-Ice” Bridge to a Cornerstone of Global Trade
Since its inception in 1957, the Canton Fair has, over 70 years of development, consistently served as a vital economic and trade hub connecting China to the world. From breaking through trade blockades in the early years of the People’s Republic, to introducing new business models such as processing trade in 1978, and on to the comprehensive prosperity following China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, the Canton Fair has continuously evolved. Today, it is not only a vast gateway for foreign goods entering the Chinese market but also the world’s longest-running, largest-scale, and most comprehensive international trade fair.
Innovation-Driven: A Showcase of New-Quality Productive Forces
This edition of the Canton Fair is not merely a display of production capacity but a vivid snapshot of China’s industrial upgrading. The fair closely aligns with the development trends of “new, green, and smart”:
This edition of the Canton Fair is not merely a display of production capacity but a vivid snapshot of China’s industrial upgrading. The fair closely aligns with the development trends of “new, green, and smart”:
- Gathering of High-Quality Enterprises: Over 11,000 high-quality enterprises—including those recognized as “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” (SRUI) and “Single-Champion” companies—are participating, marking a 5.1% increase from previous editions.
- Application of Cutting-Edge Technologies: As many as 61% of exhibiting enterprises have deeply integrated new technologies and business models—such as industrial internet, artificial intelligence, 5G, and green low-carbon solutions—into their production or services.
- High-Quality Exhibits: Over 4.65 million exhibits will be on display, with new products, green products, and products with independent intellectual property rights accounting for 23%, 22%, and 25% of the total, respectively. Additionally, more than 600 new product launch events and 15 “Trade Bridge” supply-demand matching activities will be held during the fair.
Precision Guidance Amidst a Sea of Resources: The Core Value of Sourcing Agents
Faced with 1.55 million square meters of exhibition space and over 32,000 exhibitors, the sheer volume of information often leaves overseas buyers feeling overwhelmed. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs, for whom identifying genuine source factories and filtering out trade companies with flashy packaging within a short timeframe presents a significant challenge.
At such large-scale exhibitions, professional sourcing agents play an irreplaceable role. Specialized teams like Koi Sourcing, with deep expertise in local supply chains, serve as buyers’ “eyes and ears” on the exhibition floor. Through strategic analysis and exhibition route planning conducted in advance, sourcing agents not only help clients pinpoint target suppliers among the vast array of booths but also swiftly follow up post-exhibition with on-site factory audits to thoroughly assess actual production capacity and quality control systems. This transforms initial contacts made at the exhibition into long-term, reliable cross-border partnerships.
Comprehensive Support
Seamless Business Travel and Customs Clearance Experience
To accommodate the massive gathering of businesses, the entire city of Guangzhou is mobilizing to provide meticulous service support for global merchants:
Accelerated Port Clearance
During the exhibition, the daily average passenger traffic at Baiyun Airport is expected to reach 56,000. Guangzhou Customs has introduced 11 measures to facilitate clearance, while border inspection authorities are piloting a new “zoned and categorized inspection” model for incoming foreign nationals to ensure the efficient flow of people and goods.
Diverse Payment and Transportation Options
Over 15,000 key merchants citywide accept international credit and debit cards, and 126 additional self-service foreign currency exchange points have been set up in key areas. More than 400 Guangzhou Metro stations support contactless payment for international cards, and over 2,000 dedicated shuttle buses are deployed daily to ensure smooth transportation around the exhibition venues.
Localized Cultural Services
Over 3,000 university student volunteers, trained through specialized programs, provide multilingual guidance. Combined with tailored commercial itineraries—such as the Pearl River night cruise—these services allow buyers to fully experience the warmth and vitality of the Greater Bay Area while conducting efficient business negotiations.
Faced with 1.55 million square meters of exhibition space and over 32,000 exhibitors, the sheer volume of information often leaves overseas buyers feeling overwhelmed. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs, for whom identifying genuine source factories and filtering out trade companies with flashy packaging within a short timeframe presents a significant challenge.
At such large-scale exhibitions, professional sourcing agents play an irreplaceable role. Specialized teams like Koi Sourcing, with deep expertise in local supply chains, serve as buyers’ “eyes and ears” on the exhibition floor. Through strategic analysis and exhibition route planning conducted in advance, sourcing agents not only help clients pinpoint target suppliers among the vast array of booths but also swiftly follow up post-exhibition with on-site factory audits to thoroughly assess actual production capacity and quality control systems. This transforms initial contacts made at the exhibition into long-term, reliable cross-border partnerships.
Comprehensive Support
Seamless Business Travel and Customs Clearance Experience
To accommodate the massive gathering of businesses, the entire city of Guangzhou is mobilizing to provide meticulous service support for global merchants:
Accelerated Port Clearance
During the exhibition, the daily average passenger traffic at Baiyun Airport is expected to reach 56,000. Guangzhou Customs has introduced 11 measures to facilitate clearance, while border inspection authorities are piloting a new “zoned and categorized inspection” model for incoming foreign nationals to ensure the efficient flow of people and goods.
Diverse Payment and Transportation Options
Over 15,000 key merchants citywide accept international credit and debit cards, and 126 additional self-service foreign currency exchange points have been set up in key areas. More than 400 Guangzhou Metro stations support contactless payment for international cards, and over 2,000 dedicated shuttle buses are deployed daily to ensure smooth transportation around the exhibition venues.
Localized Cultural Services
Over 3,000 university student volunteers, trained through specialized programs, provide multilingual guidance. Combined with tailored commercial itineraries—such as the Pearl River night cruise—these services allow buyers to fully experience the warmth and vitality of the Greater Bay Area while conducting efficient business negotiations.
Conclusion
The 139th Canton Fair not only demonstrates the solid foundation of China’s foreign trade but also offers global buyers an excellent opportunity to restructure and optimize their supply chains. With professional procurement strategies and the support of localized teams, global buyers will be able to seize opportunities more efficiently at this spring event and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
The 139th Canton Fair not only demonstrates the solid foundation of China’s foreign trade but also offers global buyers an excellent opportunity to restructure and optimize their supply chains. With professional procurement strategies and the support of localized teams, global buyers will be able to seize opportunities more efficiently at this spring event and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
