Canton Fair opens in China with record scale

Updated: April 16, 2026 Source: Xinhua News Agency

Buyers and exhibitors talk at the booth of Midea Group during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.The number of exhibition zones has increased to 179, including nine new sections covering smart wearables, display technologies, consumer drones, modular houses and garden facilities, according to the organizers. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

GUANGZHOU, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened on Wednesday in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

The number of exhibition zones has increased to 179, including nine new sections covering smart wearables, display technologies, consumer drones, modular houses and garden facilities, according to the organizers.

As of April 9, 290 leading purchasing enterprises had confirmed their participation, marking a 30 percent year-on-year increase.

Zhu Yong, head of the China Foreign Trade Center, said the new buyers primarily come from Belt and Road partner countries, with notable growth from Latin America and Africa.

In line with the goal of trade-investment integration set in China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the Canton Fair will build a full-life-cycle trade promotion ecosystem, Zhu added.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and has been hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.

An overseas buyer learns about a product during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

A visitor (front) learns about a smart refrigerator during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

An overseas buyer (L) learns about products during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

An overseas buyer (R) talks with an exhibitor during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a scene of the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows a scene during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

People visit the booth of Hisense during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

An overseas buyer (L) learns about a product during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Overseas buyers learn about a vacuum cleaner during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Overseas buyers learn about an electric fan during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Overseas buyers learn about a product during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows the booth of Midea Group during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

This photo taken on April 15, 2026 shows the section of home appliances during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

An exhibitor arranges products during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Overseas buyers talk with exhibitors during the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Buyers from Brazil visit the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2026. The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened here on Wednesday, drawing a record number of over 32,000 participating enterprises.

Editor: Yang Linlin