The 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, is set to open in Guangzhou on Tuesday, and 138,000 overseas buyers from 209 countries and regions have pre-registered for the event.
The fair will be held in Guangzhou in three phases between Oct. 15 and Nov. 4. This year, the fair has seen a significant surge in overseas buyer registrations, reflecting a 24 percent increase compared to the previous session.
Adding to this positive trend, 223 of the world's top 250 global retailers are expected to attend, many of which will participate in the form of delegation groups, showcasing the fair's growing influence in the international trade landscape.
Spanning an extensive 1.55 million square meters, the fair will feature 74,000 booths across 55 sections and 171 specialized zones. With preparations now finalized, organizers are poised to welcome participants from around the globe.
Aiming to strengthen international trade relations and promote economic cooperation, the Canton Fair is held in the spring and autumn seasons each year since the spring of 1957 in Guangzhou City, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, the country's economic powerhouse. It serves as a crucial platform for establishing new business partnerships, and is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.
136th Canton Fair set to open with pre-registration of 138,000 overseas buyers
136th Canton Fair set to open with 138,000 overseas buyers registered
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
