As testament to China's manufacturing prowess, the ongoing 136th China Import and Export Fair has drawn purchasers from across the world who are seeking leading products at competitive prices.
Themed "Serving high-quality development, promoting high-level opening-up," this edition of the fair features more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products. Additionally, 241 of the world's top 250 retailers and leading multinational corporations are participating in it.
Many new companies, products and technologies are making their debut, attracting 147,000 overseas buyers from over 200 countries and regions.
Among the attendees is Russian buyer Marina Shestova, who expressed her enthusiasm to China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"I am looking for electronic ones, house wear and clothes, of course. I think the best one is screens for advertisements. It's amazing," said Shestova.
Some buyers said the Canton Fair offers buyers a wider range of options at competitive prices.
"Compared with American brands like this or something like that, I think it's very competitive, because of very cheap price and for this cheap price you can get a lot of things," said Damiruly Omirzhan from Kazakhstan.
Saudi businessman Ali Alshateri believes Chinese manufacturers are constantly delivering quality products to the market as they strive to excel in highly competitive industries.
"I'm buying actually TV, refrigerator, AC and all sorts of electronic products. Actually, every year there are new players in the market. The old players are trying to compete with also the medium factories, which is actually trying to bring new items to their product line. So we are finding this is very competitive between the Chinese factories," said Alshateri, CEO of Shatri Group Company, a retailer of electronics and home appliances.
Launched in 1957, the Canton Fair is the country's oldest and largest trade fair. Held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, it is seen as a significant barometer of China's foreign trade.
Int'l buyers seek competitive products at Canton Fair
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday presented to parliament his "victory plan," outlining Ukraine's strategy in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
"If we begin implementing this Victory Plan now, we could end the war no later than the next year," Zelensky was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying.
Zelensky said the five-point plan covers geopolitical, military, economic and security goals, emphasizing that inviting Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the "near future" is its key element.
Other proposals include lifting the current restrictions hindering Ukraine from using long-range Western weapons on targets inside Russia and placing a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package in Ukraine, Zelensky said.
He also said the document envisages that Ukraine will jointly protect, use and invest in its critical resources with partners.
Besides, Kiev stands ready to replace U.S. military contingents in Europe with Ukrainian units after the end of the conflict, according to the plan, which also contains three classified annexes.
After presenting the "Victory Plan" to the parliament, the Ukrainian president is going to submit it to the European Council on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova refuted Zelensky's "Victory Plan" by saying it could push NATO toward a direct conflict with Russia, which would only bring disaster to the Ukrainian people.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the same day that the new proposal is likely just the same American plan to fight until the last Ukrainian, which Zelensky has now disguised as a "peace plan."
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, said in an interview that the organization will conduct further discussions on the content mentioned in Zelensky's "Victory Plan".
He affirmed that NATO will continue supporting Ukraine and keep providing military equipment for it. However, he also noted these actions do not mean that NATO supports all the content in the "Victory Plan", as further information and discussions on it are required.
Previously, NATO repeatedly said it would accept Ukraine as a member, but hasn't given an exact timetable yet.
Zelensky unveils Ukraine's "victory plan"
