The 136th Canton Fair: Shaping the Future of Global Trade
The 136th Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, has recently concluded its month-long exhibition in Guangzhou, China. This year, the Fair has taken a significant leap by transforming its online exhibition platform into a year-round marketplace, enabling continuous engagement between exhibitors and buyers from around the globe.
During the autumn session alone, nearly 48,000 exhibitors showcased a staggering 3.75 million products on the online platform, marking significant increases of 60% in exhibitor participation and 50% in product listings compared to the previous year. This evolution underscores the Fair's commitment to leveraging technology in enhancing trade opportunities.
The online platform integrates supply-demand matching, business negotiations, and information sharing, effectively creating a seamless experience that expands the reach of exhibitors to international buyers. Notably, the Fair introduced a virtual digital assistant and a new application, significantly improving user experience for participants.
Li Bingye, the marketing director at Shijiazhuang Decno Decoration Materials Co., Ltd., shared insights on the impact of this digital integration: “In the past, we could only showcase our products when we were physically present at the fair, but now we can exhibit 24/7, attracting more business opportunities while highlighting both the quality of our products and the advantages of the Canton Fair’s online platform.” To further enhance their online presence, Decno has launched a virtual reality stand, allowing potential customers to engage with their products in an immersive manner. Through the Canton Fair App, Decno is connecting with over 50 international clients, utilizing data from the platform to target high-quality buyers and offer tailored products and services.
Another key participant, Mr. Liang, who oversees procurement for the Indonesian group Kawan Lama, expressed his satisfaction with the online platform. “Suppliers on this platform are verified and recognized by the Canton Fair, many being industry leaders. This makes them more trustworthy than those found through other channels,” he stated. As global trade continues to evolve rapidly, the Canton Fair remains at the forefront of innovation by effectively blending online and offline experiences, setting new benchmarks for industry engagement.
This strategic initiative is aimed at positioning the Canton Fair as a leading market platform which offers exhibitors continuous engagement opportunities, thereby helping businesses broaden their horizons and expand trade networks.
Looking ahead, the 137th Canton Fair is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5, 2025, also in Guangzhou. For more detailed information, prospective participants can visit
Canton Fair Official Website. The Fair's commitment to fostering global trade interactions signals a promising future for businesses aiming to expand their footprint in the international market.