In recent days at the 136th China Import and Export Fair, over 93,000 buyers from more than 200 countries and regions have gathered in Guangzhou, eager to explore business opportunities, discuss deals, and make new connections.
With the boost from policies like visa-free transit, the 68-year-old Canton Fair is experiencing significant changes. At Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, reporters noticed a marked increase in the number of foreign arrivals. Currently, the port sees over 22,000 inbound travelers daily, with foreigners making up more than 60% of that number.
An exhibitor from Australia expressed his excitement about attending the fair for the first time: “I’m from Australia, and this is my first time at the Canton Fair; I’m really excited.”
A Danish exhibitor reflected on his experiences, saying, “We’ve been here three times now, and each time I come, I bring some new products we’ve developed.”
The Canton Fair serves as a crucial platform for global buyers seeking opportunities and technological breakthroughs. Many international buyers approached by reporters shared their targeted procurement plans, focusing on “Made in China” offerings in industries such as industrial manufacturing, electronics, new energy vehicles, and fashion.
A participant from Mauritius explained, “I’ve prepared a supplier list, and some suppliers already know we are coming.” Meanwhile, a Lebanese exhibitor mentioned his interest in electronics, toys, and bicycles. An exhibitor from Uganda highlighted the fair’s variety, noting, “I can meet various manufacturers and suppliers here. I’m looking for cosmetic suppliers and raw material manufacturers.”
According to the Guangzhou Baiyun Border Inspection Station, during this Canton Fair, daily peak inbound traffic is expected to exceed 46,000, an increase of 15% compared to the spring fair and a 40% rise over the previous year.
Liu Lei, captain of the 10th patrol team at Baiyun Border Inspection Station, detailed the preparations: “There are eight channels set up exclusively for the fair, with guiding signs and police officers providing assistance throughout the process in 13 languages.”
During the fair, Baiyun Airport also introduced convenient services for exhibitors who applied for visa-free transit, ensuring a streamlined check-in process. To facilitate foreign buyers attending the event, services like on-site application points for documentation and payment assistance were set up at the airport, showcasing China’s allure from multiple angles.
Chen Zehua, a senior investigator with the Guangzhou Cultural, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, stated, “We’ve set up a free one-day tour service at the airport to showcase Guangzhou’s tourism resources and cultural attractions, inviting global merchants to explore the city and enjoy their time here.”
Currently, Baiyun Airport has added and enhanced nearly 50 international passenger routes, with over 1,700 weekly international flights. The port authorities are working hard to boost inspection speeds, demonstrating China’s renowned hospitality to exhibitors from around the world.
In August, the Nansha Port passenger checkpoint in Guangzhou was added to the visa-free transit entry list. During the fair, many foreign visitors arriving from Hong Kong now have new entry options.
Michael from Canada, who didn’t have time to obtain a visa, took a ferry from Hong Kong to the Nansha checkpoint and entered the fair without a hitch: “I just arrived from the Nansha checkpoint to attend the fair, and the 144-hour visa-free policy made it very smooth.”
Similarly, the Pazhou ferry terminal, located just 500 meters from the fair venue, has provided convenient entry for overseas exhibitors for the past three sessions. David Farina from Paraguay, who has 15 years of exhibition experience, chose to enter through the Pazhou terminal upon his friend’s suggestion: “This is my first time entering China through Pazhou, and I think it’s the easiest way ever. There were fewer people on the ferry than at the airport.”
A Chinese supplier noted the improvements: “What used to take three or four days can now be accomplished in just two hours. Our clients are very satisfied.”
Police officer Xiong Ling at the Zhoutouwei border inspection station reported, “During the fair, we have 12 round trips to Hong Kong daily and have established a foreign language service team to assist with inquiries.”
Additionally, the Pazhou passenger terminal has implemented a seamless operation model for those traveling from Hong Kong, allowing exhibitors to check in and have their luggage sent directly to their destination, enjoying a one-stop convenient experience.
An exhibitor from India shared his journey: “I flew from Mumbai to Hong Kong and then took a ferry to Pazhou. My luggage was checked through to Pazhou, and the entire process was very smooth.”
The fair this year features three phases, showcasing advanced enterprises across various sectors at over 74,000 exhibition booths. Covering themes such as “Advanced Manufacturing,” “Quality Home,” and “Better Life,” the event highlights more than one million innovative products that demonstrate China’s transformation from “Made in China” to “Created in China.”
Qin Xu from the Canton Fair organizing committee shared that nearly 4,600 new exhibitors are participating this year. Over 8,000 companies hold national high-tech, specialized, and innovation accolades, marking a 40% increase from the previous session. About 3,600 enterprises in digital technology and intelligence manufacturing are represented, along with more than 14,000 firms with proprietary brands.
At the home appliance exhibition area, a “China Red” multifunctional cooking machine from Shunde gained significant attention from buyers. Local exhibitor Zhao Ying commented, “Customers are increasingly demanding greener, energy-efficient products. Standing firm on consumer perspectives and technological innovation is vital to breaking through homogeneous competition.”
Shunde, a leading region for small appliance manufacturing and exports, saw both an increase in the number of participating companies and exhibition space, reflecting the growing international recognition of its products. Zeng Fan, head of the Shunde Economic Promotion Bureau, revealed, “From January to September this year, the total import and export volume of Shunde reached 174.19 billion yuan, with a double-digit growth in household appliance exports. This year, 319 Shunde companies participated in the fair, marking a historic high for both participation and booth numbers.”
Many provinces and cities organized group participations, with government-backed promotional events occurring back-to-back, boosting enterprises’ efforts to tap into markets and secure orders. The joint efforts underscore the goal of rapidly converting orders into revenue while addressing the final mile in international trade.
A buyer from Jordan noted, “Chinese products are very popular due to competitive pricing, allowing us to place large orders. Timely delivery is crucial; logistics services are our top priority, as any delays could significantly disrupt our operations.”
Reportedly, a considerable portion of bulk commodity orders sealed at the fair will be exported via water. The advantages of water transport—such as lower costs, large capacity, and shorter distances—save on transportation time and logistics costs. Many exhibitors are adopting a “front store, back factory” model, and various departments are collaborating to provide comprehensive support for companies looking to export.
Cao Wenjia, deputy director of the Shunde Border Inspection Station, explained, “At four cargo terminals in Shunde, we implement zero-wait inspections for ships carrying export orders from local enterprises, ensuring effective and speedy clearance for over 3,000 containers of ‘Shunde Intelligent Manufacturing’ products daily.”
The “Dongguan Smart Manufacturing” showcase was also vibrant at this year’s fair, with 420 participating enterprises, including 198 advanced manufacturing and technology companies recognized for their innovations.
Exhibitor Xiao Yanmei shared, “We specialize in household and commercial intelligent mobile robots. The turnout here is impressive, and we are very optimistic about our prospects.”
Lu Jin, deputy chief of the Foreign Investment Promotion Center in Dongguan, commented, “We are attracting countless foreign buyers with increasingly advanced technology and smart products; numerous international clients have confirmed orders.”
Dongguan’s relevant departments have optimized transport routes for converting orders into revenue, promoting a “sea-air combined transport” model. Export products are shipped by short sea routes directly to Hong Kong International Airport, where they are quickly dispatched to their destination countries. Since the sea-air transport project became operational a year ago, it has handled 10 billion yuan in import and export goods.
Deputy captain of the third patrol team at the Dongguan Border Inspection Station, Xi Yuxiao, mentioned that due to the high time sensitivity of these shipments, a special service has been tailored for the route to facilitate immediate inspections and clearance for goods bound for Hong Kong airport.
Xiao Zhi-liang, deputy general manager of Dongguan Port International Air Transport, highlighted, “Our air cargo center is the world’s first cross-border sea-air transport project that goes directly to the airside of the airport, where goods are loaded for transportation to our dedicated pier and then shipped to Hong Kong International Airport for global export.”
