The 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is wowing visitors with smart manufacturing technologies and products.
The event, which kicked off on Tuesday in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province in south China, will be held in three phases between Oct 15 and Nov 4, and is set to include 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters.
The first phase, running for five days and themed advanced manufacturing, covers an offline exhibition area of 520,000 square meters, with 24,890 booths and 11,165 exhibitors. A wide array of new enterprises is displaying new products and new technologies.
A cute driverless sightseeing vehicle stands out among the products. Equipped with high-precision mapping, GPS positioning technology, laser radar and dual cameras, the vehicle can navigate and avoid obstacles autonomously, and can stop whenever necessary.
"If I want the vehicle to stop, I just press the stop button, allowing the passengers to get off for sightseeing. To reach another destination, I just click it on the screen," said Xiao Yanmei, an exhibitor from the driverless sightseeing vehicle company, while demonstrating the vehicle's features.
The ongoing launch of new products has enhanced the appeal of the Canton Fair for global buyers.
The first phase of the fair showcases five main themes across 19 exhibition areas, including electronic appliances, industrial manufacturing, lighting and electrical goods, hardware tools, regular vehicles, and two-wheeled vehicles.
The Canton Fair was launched in 1957 and held twice yearly.
136th Canton Fair wows visitors with smart manufacturing
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
