The footwear section at the ongoing 136th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, has garnered significant attention from global buyers.
Buyers from the regions like North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia gathered in Guangzhou, the venue of the fair, to discuss potential partnerships as stylish shoes with modern designs draw their interests.
"This time we're interested in shoes because there's a very big market in Mexico now. The designs are amazing. There's a very very very big opportunity, because the Chinese people are very creative. I think the China market has evolved into being a pioneer in design, and it's actually amazing," said Mexican buyer James.
"I think it's a great experience for producers and for people who design clothes to come here. You can learn a lot. There's a lot of new designs," American buyer Elizabeth Canasco said.
In addition, the footwear section of the fair also highlighted new, eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable and waterproof breathable materials, enhancing comfort and durability while reducing environmental impact.
"We're innovating in both environmental and comfort aspects, introducing new biodegradable and eco-friendly materials, which are a favorite feature among our clients," said an exhibitor named Zeng Weiliang.
One exhibitor showcased AI-driven customization service, allowing customers to design their own shoes on a digital platform, choosing styles, colors, and materials.
"From the initial concept to sketches, digitization, 3D rendering, producing the physical item, followed by photographing it for the client to confirm the overall effect, the whole process used to take two to three weeks to as long as two to three months. Our AI software replaces this complex process, enabling us to design a concept within a minute," said AI service exhibitor Li Jianqi.
With a 58,400-square-meter exhibition space, the footwear section at this edition's Canton Fair hosted 1,240 exhibitors, maintaining the same number of booths as the previous edition.
New designs, sustainable materials draw global buyers to Canton Fair's footwear section
New designs, sustainable materials draw global buyers to Canton Fair's footwear section
Palestinian refugees in Gaza have expressed deep concern over the future of services by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), after the Israeli parliament passed on Monday two legislations to prohibit UNRWA from operating in the country, and ban Israeli authorities from any contact with the agency.
Many refugees in Gaza are completely dependent on the services provided by UNRWA such as food, health, education and shelter.
At a shelter school in the central Gaza Strip, local refugees including Um Mohammed Salah hope that medical care from UNRWA will not stop.
"They should provide us with medicine. We are already short on food, and we cannot bear a shortage of medicines. We already can't afford food. What shall we do, and why have they done that to us? It is our given right, as our life is already gone," she said.
There are about 6 million Palestinian refugees registered with the UN services in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA serves about 1.7 million Palestinian refugees.
In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, it helps more than 870,000 refugees, who will be directly affected by the Israeli decision.
"We need all hands on deck, we need all humanitarian partners, but especially UNRWA to be able to operate. Already right now, we are not able to address the basic needs of people. UNRWA is playing an important part in terms of alleviating the suffering of people here in Gaza, bringing assistance to children and family, and if they are no longer able to operate, that will not bring anything good for anybody," said UNICEF Communication Specialist Rosalia Bollen.
The UN Security Council said Wednesday that the UNRWA "remains the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza", affirming that no organization can replace or substitute its capacity and mandate to serve Palestinian refugees and civilians in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance.
In a press statement, the members of the Security Council emphasized the vital role of UNRWA in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees through essential education, health, relief and social services programs and emergency assistance in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The council members strongly warned against any attempts to dismantle or diminish UNRWA's operations and mandate, recognizing that any interruption or suspension of its work would have severe humanitarian consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees and also implications for the region.
The council members expressed their grave concern over the legislations adopted by the Israeli parliament, and urged the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and live up to its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.
Palestinian refugees express deep concern over Israel's UNRWA ban
