April 19 (Sunday) marked the closing day of the first phase of the 139th Canton Fair. According to Guangzhou Immigration Inspection authorities, cross-border travel from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has increased significantly since the beginning of April. In particular, arrivals from ASEAN, Africa, and South America reached 113,000, representing a 26.97 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of travelers from Europe stood at 31,000, up 47.6 percent year-on-year. In essence, the Canton Fair is not only an indispensable “bridge of trade” that helps businesses expand markets and build new partnerships, but also a “window” into China’s advanced manufacturing and industrial progress.
It enables global buyers to connect with world-class supply chains in one place while gaining rapid insights into manufacturing trends and future directions. This year’s fair places a strong emphasis on innovation, green development, and high-quality growth. For the first time, nine specialized exhibition zones have been introduced, covering emerging sectors such as drones, smart wearable devices, bamboo and wooden tableware, technical textiles, integrated housing, and fashion accessories. Beyond new themes, the quality of participating enterprises has also improved significantly. More than 11,000 high-caliber companies—recognized as “specialized and innovative” or “single-sector champions”—took part, marking a 5.1 percent increase from previous editions.
Among them, around 3,900 companies are first-time participants, showcasing their flagship products on this global platform. The diverse and high-quality exhibits have attracted a growing number of international buyers from across the world. The second phase of the fair, themed “Quality Home Living,” is set to begin on April 23. It will span a total exhibition area of 515,000 square meters, featuring 25,000 booths across 14 exhibition zones within three major sectors. Source: Shishir-Alim-Akash, China Media Group.