Canton Fair Sees Record Attendance as Global Trade Challenges Mount

GUANGZHOU, April 15 - Against the backdrop of escalating tariff tensions instigated by the United States, the 137th China Import and Export Fair - widely known as the Canton Fair - officially opened its doors today in Guangzhou.

In an era marked by economic uncertainty and global instability, the Fair remains a bellwether of China's foreign trade strength and resilience. Its enduring appeal is unmistakable: as of April 13, more than 200,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions had pre-registered. Major global retailers such as Walmart (USA), Carrefour (France), Tesco (UK), and Metro (Germany) have all confirmed their participation.

With the global trade landscape undergoing profound realignments and new rules being written, the Canton Fair continues to serve as a premier platform for international business. This year's event hosts approximately 31,000 exhibitors - a record high - including more than 30,000 companies in the export segment alone, nearly 900 more than the previous session. Over 4,200 of these are first-time exhibitors.

Reflecting the accelerating shift toward digital and intelligent technologies, this year's Canton Fair also showcases its own transformation. For the first time, a dedicated Service Robot zone has been introduced, attracting 46 leading companies presenting products ranging from embodied robots and commercial service bots to educational and entertainment robotics. Across all zones, more than 1,100 companies are exhibiting over 320,000 smart products.

Trade tensions between China and the U.S. are once again in the spotlight, with the latest round of tariffs described by experts as even more severe than those imposed during the Trump administration's first term. Despite this, longtime American attendee Philip Richardson from California remains unfazed. A veteran of the Fair since 1998, he plans to visit the Pazhou exhibition complex on opening day, eager to reconnect with partners and explore new OEM opportunities for his audio business in Guangzhou.

History shows that during periods of global instability, the Canton Fair becomes even more critical as China's trade gateway. First launched in 1957 amid Western economic sanctions against China, the event has since evolved into a biannual anchor of international commerce. Today, exhibiting companies at the Canton Fair account for approximately 5% of China's total active import-export enterprises, and around 15% of general trade exports.

"The Canton Fair is our compass through the storms of global trade," said Zeng Wendong, International Market Manager at the 95-year-old Chinese battery brand, Tiger Head. "This will be our 80th time attending, and we consistently secure $6–8 million in intended orders per session from markets like Europe, the Philippines, and Israel."

For Italian executive Alessandra Scaglione, Managing Director of Lianyi Far East, the Fair exemplifies the evolution of "Made in China." Having lived and worked in China for 13 years, she says, "From design to patents to service, Chinese suppliers have made remarkable strides. Every Canton Fair is a global industry showcase, brimming with innovation and opportunity."

Zhao Longyue, Dean of the School of International Governance and Innovation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, agrees: "As the world's largest comprehensive trade fair, the Canton Fair is a vital hub for global businesses seeking new partners and markets. Even amid geopolitical tensions, peace-loving people and enterprises around the world continue to seek collaboration through this platform."

Polish buyer Alicja arrived in Guangzhou days before the event to get a head start - and quickly found her target: an open-back stereo gaming headset from HAVIT, a Chinese manufacturer known for its innovations. "In times of economic instability and inflation, customers gravitate toward products that solve real problems and enhance quality of life," said Zheng Shu, HAVIT's Overseas Sales Director. "We're offering tailored new releases, strong discounts, and targeted marketing support during the Fair."

Home to 146,000 companies with import-export records, Guangdong Province remains China's foreign trade powerhouse. Local exporters have developed a variety of tactics to thrive in a shifting global climate:

Networking for Market Expansion: Xiong Chunli from Guangzhou Spring Solar Tech said her calendar is packed with meetings - including buyers from Finland and Poland seeking new energy solutions. "Over 75% of our exports go to Europe, and we're now active in more than 60 countries."

Innovation-Driven Growth: In Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City, Lianger Lighting has deployed CNC machines to shape lamp covers in under a minute - a demonstration that wowed visiting Italian buyer Marco. This year, the company is targeting the Middle East with new collections featuring materials like gold leaf and bamboo fiber, the latter boasting humidity-sensitive transparency.

Pushing Green and Smart Products: Shenzhen YinXing Smart Group recently secured EU certification for its commercial cleaning robot and is aiming to expand overseas. "Last year we secured major orders from Southeast Asia. This year, we want global buyers to witness the strength of Chinese smart manufacturing," said Chen Peng, Head of Foreign Trade. In total, this year's Fair features 880,000 green products and 320,000 smart devices.

Zhu Ke, Founding Director of the New Economy Research Institute, notes that globalization is entering a "rules-based" era where defining technical standards is the new battleground. Guangdong companies are leveraging high-spec products to compete for influence in shaping these new global norms.

So what's new at the 137th Canton Fair?

More Fresh Faces: Over 4,200 first-time exhibitors have joined, pushing the export exhibition total beyond 30,000 companies for the first time. Companies labeled as "Little Giants," national-level high-tech firms, or champions in niche manufacturing now exceed 9,700 - a 20% increase from the last session.

Emerging Industries in the Spotlight: New themed zones include service robotics, prefabricated housing, smart living, intelligent logistics, digital factories, wind and hydrogen energy, and next-gen mobility technologies - reflecting China's rapid strides in frontier sectors.

"Always-On" Connectivity: With a seamless "online matchmaking, offline transactions" model, the Canton Fair never sleeps. Its mobile app - "Canton Fair on the Palm" - offers 24/7 buyer-supplier connections. After hours, Zeng Wendong checks leads through his company's online booth, fielding inquiries from Southeast Asia. "Buyers finalize specs and quantities online, then visit in person to verify the goods," he said.

Over 250 "Trade Bridge" promotional events will also be held during the Fair, reinforcing its position as a global trade catalyst.

Source: Southern Daily