The 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, kicked off in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, yesterday. This year, a record-breaking number of Shenzhen firms are participating, a signal of the city's growing influence in this pivotal event for China's foreign trade.
According to the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Commerce, 1,484 Shenzhen companies are taking part in the fair's in-person exhibitions, occupying 3,398 booths. Production enterprises and private enterprises continue to be the most significant participants in the Shenzhen delegation.
According to statistics, the Shenzhen delegation has gathered an impressive array of enterprises, including 470 companies with titles such as national-level "little giant" enterprises, provincial-level specialized and sophisticated firms, national and provincial manufacturing single-category champion enterprises, and national-level high-tech enterprises, accounting for about 38% of the total number of companies in the Shenzhen delegation.
"Little giant" firms are the novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in a niche market, boast cutting-edge technologies and show great potential.
The fair features more than 30,000 exhibitors showcasing 1.15 million new products.
Many new companies, products, technologies, and business models are making their debut, attracting 147,000 overseas buyers who have pre-registered for the fair.
Around 390,000 digital and smart products will be showcased, a 300% surge compared to the 135th Canton Fair, while the number of green and low-carbon products will rise by 130% to 1.04 million.
The fair is being held in three phases through Nov. 4 and includes 55 exhibition areas covering 1.55 million square meters. The first phase, running through Saturday, introduces new topics such as hydrogen energy and features a dedicated area for energy storage products, attracting over 110 new energy companies.
Launched in 1957 and held twice a year, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.