Canton Fair's first phase sees over 20% rise in overseas buyers

Overseas buyers visit an exhibition booth at the 137th Canton Fair, which concluded its first phase on Saturday. (Photo by Qiu Quanlin/chinadaily.com.cn)

A dramatically increased number of overseas buyers visited the first phase of the 137th China Import and Export Fair, the country's largest trade event, amid the uncertain global trade situation, according to the fair organizers.

With a theme of displaying China's advanced manufacturing, the fair's first phase concluded on Saturday, with 148,585 overseas buyers from 216 countries and regions in attendance, marking a 20.2 percent increase compared to the same period of the fair's 135 session.

The fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, is held twice a year in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, in spring and autumn respectively. Each session of the fair includes three phases, displaying almost all China's industrial and consumer products.

As China's main export commodities and the primary exhibits in the first phase of the Canton Fair, electromechanical products are rapidly advancing toward high-end, intelligent and green directions and are highly sought after by overseas buyers, according to Gao Shiwang, spokesperson for the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products.

Among companies surveyed within the chamber, more than half of them expect export growth by 2025, according to Gao.

"Faced with the complex and ever-changing international economic and trade situation, companies are actively and flexibly responding by intensifying efforts to explore emerging markets, accelerating technological innovation and enhancing competitiveness," said Gao.

"It is essential to focus on the local market, develop products that meet local consumer needs, and sell products directly to the local market," said Jian Zhaohua, chairman and general manager of Zhuhai Zhujiang Vehicle Co Ltd.

The company, based in Zhuhai of Guangdong, is primarily engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and sales of motorcycles and parts, with exports to over 20 countries and regions in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe.

"Before the United States' tariff policy, we have seen the potential in the Latin American market—Mexico, Venezuela and Peru are all emerging markets we are focusing on," said Jian.