The 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) concluded successfully on November 4th.
Guided by the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important congratulatory letter and earnestly implementing the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the fair, under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and with the joint efforts of all parties, set new historical records in multiple indicators including the number of overseas buyers and products focused on innovation, intelligence, and green development.
Against the backdrop of in-depth adjustments in the global trade pattern and multiple challenges facing foreign trade development, the 138th Canton Fair maintained an upward momentum against the trend. It not only demonstrated the resilience and vitality of China’s foreign trade and injected stability into global economic and trade development but also conveyed to the world China’s firm determination to expand high-level opening-up and create a new situation of win-win cooperation.
“Broadly” Gather the World
A Grand Event for Sharing Opening-Up Opportunities
Overseas buyers traveled across mountains and seas to “vote with their feet,” expressing their trust in Chinese products and confidence in China’s economy.
A total of over 310,000 overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions attended the fair, an increase of 7.5% compared with the previous session (the same below), hitting a new historical high.
Among them, 214,000 buyers were from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, a growth of 9.4% accounting for 69% of the total.
Buyer attendance from the EU, the Middle East, the United States, and Brazil saw significant increases, with growth rates of 32.7%, 13.9%, 14%, and 33.2% respectively.
158 industrial and commercial organizations participated in delegations, an increase of 12%.
Among the 550 buyer delegations, 406 leading enterprises including Target (US), Carrefour (France), and Nitori (Japan) participated in groups, a rise of 7.9%.
Overseas buyers commented: “The Canton Fair is not only a one-stop sourcing platform but also a barometer for insight into industry trends. It offers not just products, but certainty. China’s supply chain is irreplaceable.”
“Deliver” Practical Results
An Impressive Report Card of Efficient Supply-Demand Matching
The crowds at the booths represent not only the “foot traffic” of buyers but also the “growth in orders” and “retention of cooperation.”
On-site intended export transactions at this year’s fair reached 25.65 billion US dollars, maintaining a growth momentum.
Transactions with BRI partner countries accounted for over 60% of the total export turnover, while transactions in traditional markets remained stable.
Exhibiting enterprises stated: “The Canton Fair abounds with business opportunities and delivers excellent customer acquisition results. It is the optimal choice for consolidating old customers, meeting new ones, and exploring markets. Many buyers have visited or booked factory tours, which will lead to more transactions.”
Overseas buyers said: “Participating in the Canton Fair is not only about doing business but also making friends. It is a two-way journey for friendly exchanges and shared prosperity between China and the world.”
Brimming with “Novelty”
A Showcase of New Quality Productive Forces
Exhibiting enterprises have firmly embarked on the path of innovation, intelligence, and green development in terms of materials, craftsmanship, and supply chains.
Among the 4.6 million exhibits, new products, green products, and products with independent intellectual property rights accounted for 23.3%, 23.5%, and 23.9% respectively.
AI empowerment, innovative intelligent manufacturing, green and low-carbon development, and high-end customization became key words throughout the three phases. Embodied robots, brain-computer interface devices, plastic-free home furnishings, bio-based materials, AI intelligent rehabilitation equipment, and 3D printing were the most popular attractions in each phase.
632 new product launch events and the Canton Fair Design Award (CF Award) have built a platform for “Global Premiere, China’s Selection.”
Overseas buyers praised: “Made in China is a symbol of high quality. Here, we see the future.”
Media evaluation: “The Canton Fair is not only a barometer of foreign trade but also an accelerator for the development of new quality productive forces.”
“Intelligent” Upgrade
An Efficient Matching Experience Empowered by Digital Intelligence
From registration and exhibition visits to negotiations and cooperation matching, the integration of digital and intelligent technologies has enhanced the exhibition experience.
QR code certificates were adopted for the first time, enabling 30-second fast certification – a six-fold increase in speed.
The domestic first booth-level navigation was realized using “Bluetooth + 5G + Beidou” technology. Facilities such as AI-assisted exhibition tours and intelligent wayfinding were upgraded to achieve “one-click navigation and one-code exhibition tour,” with a total of 477,000 user visits.
An additional 415,000 people downloaded and used the Canton Fair APP, effectively supporting offline matching and transactions.
The pioneering AI-assisted image review achieved an accuracy rate of over 80%.
Overseas buyers commented: “The Canton Fair has become a forefront window for global merchants to perceive Chinese wisdom.”
Full of “Warmth”
A Comprehensive Exhibition Service Package
From trade promotion to supporting activities, heartwarming services have conveyed the temperature of cooperation.
The fair continued to offer a 50% reduction in booth fees for exhibitors in the export exhibition and fully waived fees for exhibition areas such as rural revitalization.
A 3,000-square-meter special zone for connecting high-quality foreign trade products to the domestic market was set up, attracting 143 leading domestic buyers and more than 500 exhibitors to participate in matching activities.
Nine “Trade Bridge” supply and demand matching events, 17 “Haobao and Haoni Explore the Canton Fair” activities, and 13 thematic forums helped enterprises accurately expand their markets.
240 trade service institutions covering finance, logistics, testing, and design received over 100,000 consultations.
26 trade delegations piloted modular construction for special-decorated booths, saving half the cost, three-quarters of the construction time, and achieving a recycling rate of over 90%.
Warm volunteers, convenient shuttle battery cars, a variety of featured cuisines, and efficient tax refund services for departing travelers…
Exhibiting enterprises said: “Warm services have become a bright business card of the Canton Fair.”
Brilliant “Presentation”
A Vivid Practice in Spreading China’s Voice
More than 1,700 journalists attended and covered the fair. Over 19,000 domestic and foreign media platforms released more than 2.06 million pieces of information about the Canton Fair, focusing on themes such as the effectiveness of reform measures and the shift toward innovation, intelligence, and green development.
The total number of views on overseas social media and news media exceeded 194 million.
Through various forms such as text and pictures, videos, live broadcasts, and exclusive interviews, the media comprehensively showed the grand occasion of the Canton Fair, effectively conveyed the innovative vitality of Chinese intelligent manufacturing, vividly told wonderful stories of win-win cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises, and played a strong voice of China’s high-level opening-up on the international stage.
The 139th Canton Fair will be held in Guangzhou from April 15th to May 5th, 2026.
We sincerely invite global exhibitors and buyers to gather again, embark on a spring date full of business opportunities, and jointly create a bright future of prosperity and development.
