The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) officially opened in Guangzhou this morning on 15 April. Held at the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period and the APEC China Year, this edition has set new records with a total exhibition area of 1.55 million square metres, 75,700 booths and over 32,000 exhibiting companies, including approximately 3,900 first-time participants.

The fair runs in three phases: Phase 1 (15–19 April) focuses on advanced manufacturing, covering electronics, new energy vehicles, industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing. Phase 2 (23–27 April) features quality home products, while Phase 3 (1–5 May) highlights lifestyle and consumer goods. A total of 179 product zones are featured, with nine new zones added for the first time, including smart wearables, display technology, consumer drones and integrated housing. Over 11,000 exhibitors hold national titles for specialised innovation or industry leadership, up 5.1% year on year.

The previous edition attracted more than 310,000 overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions, a record high. Founded in 1957, the Canton Fair is widely regarded as a barometer of China’s foreign trade. Visit www.cantonfair.org.cn for details.