According to officials at the Press Center of Canton Fair, Phase 1 of the 134th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, concluded on October 19. The phase was characterized by a large scale, safe and orderly operation, growing enthusiasm among overseas buyers and exhibitors, active transactions, and reassuring services, resulting in a successful start to the 134th Canton Fair [[1]].
One notable feature of Phase 1 was the optimized exhibition sections and expanded scale. The mechanical and electronic exhibition sections, which included household appliances, electronic consumer goods, and machinery, saw an increase of about 3,000 booths, or more than 18 percent, compared to the previous session. This expansion provided opportunities for more high-tech and high-value-added enterprises to showcase their innovative, advanced, smart, and green products. The new energy exhibition section experienced a significant increase of 172 percent from the previous session, demonstrating the Canton Fair's support for emerging sectors such as electric passenger vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic cells [[1]].
Another noteworthy aspect of Phase 1 was the increasing enthusiasm among overseas buyers. More than 100,000 overseas buyers from 210 countries and regions attended the onsite exhibition, representing a substantial increase compared to the previous session. Exhibitors observed that overseas buyers displayed stronger intentions to close deals and were eager to establish future cooperation. Notably, nearly 70,000 buyers came from Belt & Road countries, marking a 65.2 percent increase from the same phase of the 133rd Canton Fair. This session of the Canton Fair was praised for facilitating trade among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative [[1]].
The online platform of the Canton Fair continued to operate smoothly. Exhibitors uploaded over 2.7 million exhibits on the fair's official website, including more than 700,000 new products. The website received over 6.67 million visits, with 86 percent of the traffic coming from overseas since September 16. The online platform ensured a safe and stable operation, providing a virtual space for exhibitors and buyers to connect and explore trade opportunities [[1]].
The Canton Fair also featured a variety of promotional activities. The fair hosted 40 global business matching events called "Trade Bridge" to facilitate connections between suppliers and buyers. Additionally, there were 177 events for new product releases, and 141 products that won the 2023 Canton Fair Design Awards were exhibited both online and onsite. The fair's Product Design and Trade Promotion Center attracted 71 design firms from six countries and regions [[1]].
Phase 2 of the 134th Canton Fair is scheduled to take place from October 23 to 27. It will consist of 15 exhibition sections in three categories: home décor and household items, gifts and premiums, and building materials and furniture. The fair will continue to focus on attracting buyers and optimizing services to create a favorable environment for discussions and deals among global traders. Businesses worldwide are warmly welcomed to attend the fair and explore opportunities for development [[1]].
Overall, Phase 1 of the 134th Canton Fair witnessed a successful start, with an increased scale, enthusiastic participation from overseas buyers, smooth operation of the online platform, and a range of promotional activities. The fair continues to serve as a significant platform for global trade and business cooperation.
