October 14, GUANGZHOU – The 138th China Import and Export Fair (hereinafter referred to as the “Canton Fair”) will open tomorrow in Guangzhou. Focusing on new global trade trends and oriented towards “Intelligent, Innovative, and Green” development, this session has attracted over 32,000 exhibiting companies, including approximately 3,400 first-time participants. On October 13, a New Express Daily reporter conducted an early tour of the venue, discovering numerous highlights in the venue setup and exhibition organization, with a significant enhancement in digitalization and intelligent services.
Fast & Efficient: On-site Badge Collection in Under 30 Seconds
"So fast! It took less than 30 seconds to get my exhibitor badge on-site!" exclaimed Kelvin, a procurement agent from Malaysia, expressing his amazement. He noted that previous registration and entry processes often required at least a 30-minute queue, whereas this year, pre-registration online allowed for direct printing at the venue, making the process highly convenient.
To enable "quick certification, less running around, and minimal effort" for overseas buyers, this session of the Canton Fair has deployed 100 self-service credentialing machines and upgraded 312 manual counters to self-service windows. Procurement agents can now collect their badges instantly by scanning their passports or a confirmation code, doubling the issuance speed. Furthermore, following the travel route of "arrival-accommodation-exhibition hall," this session has established "remote certification points" at Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, the Pazhou Hong Kong and Macao Ferry Terminal, and 60 designated hotels, creating a dual "remote + venue" certification network to streamline the process for buyers.
Navigating the Vast Venue Made Easy
"The Canton Fair venue is so large, it's easy to get lost" – a common challenge cited by past exhibitors. This session comprehensively upgrades the intelligent navigation service. Through four methods – booth navigation, hall guidance, the ASK ME intelligent assistant, and WAYFINDER smart direction machines – it achieves, for the first time, precise guidance from the "exhibition hall" right down to the specific "exhibition booth," assisting attendees in navigating the fair with greater ease. The New Express Daily reporter experienced the WAYFINDER smart direction machine firsthand. By tapping the screen to search for destinations such as exhibition halls, specific halls, service points, hotel shuttle stops, or subway stations, the machine automatically plans the optimal route. The robotic arm atop the machine synchronously swings, indicating the direction and distance to the destination, offering a tech-savvy and immersive experience. Scanning the QR code on the large screen allows users to "take the route with them" on their mobile devices, facilitating quick arrival at their target location.
Innovation: Standout Innovative Products
The China Import and Export Fair Design Innovation Award (CF Award) is a highly anticipated segment each year. This year, 1,400 companies entered 3,210 products into the competition. After two rigorous rounds of review, 167 products stood out. Among these, the number of intelligent products increased by 30% compared to last year, and the number of award-winning green and eco-friendly products grew by 37%. Examples include the (Presidential Gold Award) winning bionic dexterous hand, which weighs less than 6 eggs yet can easily lift weights up to 20 kilograms, and an innovative fabric that utilizes patented technology to blend discarded pineapple leaf fibers with Lyocell fibers, achieving full-process green traceability from raw material to production.
On the opening day, various types of intelligent interactive robots will be present, offering a visual feast for exhibitors and the public.
Fun & Culture: Canton Fair × National Games, Expertly Playful
This session of the Canton Fair collaborates with the 15th National Games, introducing renowned Cantonese cuisine vendors and launching special activities such as "Cantonese Cuisine Welcomes the National Games," "Cantonese Culinary Masters Showcase Skills," "Bay Area Champions Savor Delicacies," "National Games Theme Creative Dishes," and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) performance displays. These initiatives aim to promote Cantonese culinary culture and introduce it to the world. Classic Cantonese flavors from establishments like Guangzhou Restaurant, Tao Tao Ju, and Dian Dou De will gather, alongside collective appearances of Nansha's ICH "Danjia" characteristic delicacies and Hong Kong-Macau foods. ICH inheritors of Guangzhou olive carving, ivory carving, Cantonese embroidery, and Guangcai porcelain will demonstrate their skills on-site. Cantonese opera performances and Lingnan puppet shows, full of distinctive charm, will showcase the allure of Lingnan culture. Additionally, local bands will perform live, and displays such as Guangdong Lion Dance and Choy Li Fut martial arts will take turns on stage, allowing visitors to listen, savor, and interact – ensuring a thoroughly entertaining experience.
