Highlights from the 137th Canton Fair: A Showcase of Firsts and Innovation

On April 15, the first phase of the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) officially opened at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou. With several "first-time" features, the latest edition of the Fair not only provides a broader platform for Chinese and global enterprises but also injects fresh momentum into international trade.

According to Zhang Sihong, Deputy Director of the China Foreign Trade Centre, the Fair reached new milestones in scale and participation. The total exhibition area spans 1.55 million square meters, with approximately 74,000 booths and around 31,000 participating enterprises. Of these, nearly 73,000 booths are part of the export section, and for the first time, the number of exhibiting companies has surpassed 30,000 - an increase of nearly 900 from the previous session.

"The companies participating in the Canton Fair are the backbone of China's foreign trade," said Xiao Lu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce. Though these exhibitors represent only about 5% of all Chinese entities with import-export records, they contribute to roughly 15% of China's general trade exports.

This year's Fair further ramped up recruitment of national-level high-tech enterprises, "little giants" specializing in niche sectors, and single-product manufacturing champions. The previous export volume requirement for high-potential startups was also removed, enabling greater participation. More than 9,700 premium enterprises are exhibiting this year - an increase of 20% from the last edition.

Over 4,200 companies are first-time exhibitors, including a strong representation of high-tech firms and industry leaders. Approximately 3,700 companies are involved in emerging sectors such as green technologies, digital innovation, and intelligent manufacturing. More than 17,000 brands are represented, and nearly 22,000 exhibitors have international certifications.

For the first time, the first phase of the Fair includes a dedicated "Service Robots Zone," covering 4,200 square meters. The area showcases personal, household, and professional-grade robots, including security inspection robots, reception and explanation robots, domestic service bots, cleaning and educational robots, as well as companion robots.

The section features 46 leading robotics companies, with 16 from Guangdong alone. Five standout companies from Guangzhou - Lingdu Intelligent, XAG, Inbot, Saite Intelligence, and Ligong - demonstrated the city's innovative prowess in smart technologies.

Lingdu Intelligent's high-rise curtain wall cleaning robot, Lingkong K3, was a crowd-puller in the previous session and has now made its debut inside the main exhibition hall across three specialized areas: service robots, industrial automation, and new energy.

"XAG just turned 18 - it's now an expert in smart agriculture," said a company representative. Their intelligent irrigation system uses local networks to stay operational even with weak or no connectivity. A special external antenna designed for tall crops ensures stable performance regardless of canopy interference. The company recently launched its first overseas "super farm" in collaboration with Thailand's CP Group.

Another Guangzhou-based company, Inbot, showcased its autonomous cleaning vehicle "Zhisaijie," capable of water refills, trash disposal, dust suppression, and even auxiliary security functions. With a cleaning capacity of 10,000 square meters per hour and over 8 hours of continuous runtime per charge, it drew significant attention at the Fair.

This year, the Canton Fair also introduced a City Food & Culture Festival for the first time, blending cultural experiences with global trade. To support exporters in securing orders and exploring markets, the Ministry of Commerce's Foreign Trade Development Bureau hosted a series of product matchmaking events, featuring top suppliers from sectors such as electronics, consumer tech, general machinery, and lighting.

"We're organizing more than 70 trade matchmaking events outside the venue," said Wei Min, Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau. During the Canton Fair period, over 300 "Canton Fair+" events are scheduled, including music and food festivals. These immersive experiences give nearly one million attendees from over 200 countries and regions a taste of authentic Cantonese culture.

In addition, over 1,000 trade promotion events will take place, including those focused on green and low-carbon themes, offering both business opportunities and sustainability inspiration. The Fair has also optimized its trade service zones, bringing in more than 30 digital service providers specializing in cross-border e-commerce, payments, logistics, and digital marketing, to support the digital transformation of China's export businesses.

With its record-breaking scale, innovative additions, and enhanced cultural touchpoints, the 137th Canton Fair continues to solidify its role as a bellwether of global trade and a vital platform for international economic cooperation.

Source: China Trade News