Business · Trade · 1 hr ago
Canton Fair marks 70 years as China prepares to open import expo
The 140th Canton Fair closed as it marked its 70th anniversary, after decades of connecting Chinese sellers with overseas buyers.
The fair has grown in size and range, with more products that have higher added value and technology content.
It also launched a buyer alliance with 58 major companies from 32 countries and regions.
The alliance is intended to give members regular contact, tailored business introductions and early information about new products.
One Polish buyer, Jan Szmidt, has attended for 30 years and says 70 to 80 percent of his roughly 1,000 Chinese suppliers came through the fair.
The Canton Fair focuses on helping Chinese manufacturers sell to the world, while the China International Import Expo offers overseas companies access to China’s market.
The ninth import expo is due to open in Shanghai on Nov.
5, creating another venue for trade and cooperation.
The 140th Canton Fair ended on November 4, the year the trade event marks its 70th anniversary.
The ninth China International Import Expo is scheduled to open in Shanghai on November 5.
The Canton Fair has launched a buyers’ alliance, with 58 major purchasing companies from 32 countries and regions joining its first group.
A Polish buyer who first attended the fair in 1995 now has about 1,000 suppliers in China, most of whom he found at the event.
An analyst said the Canton Fair supports Chinese exports, while the import expo gives global businesses access to China’s expanding market.
- Who
- The Canton Fair and the China International Import Expo, along with buyers, suppliers and other trade participants.
- What
- The 140th Canton Fair ended as China prepared to open its ninth import expo. The Canton Fair also formed a buyers’ alliance.
- When
- The Canton Fair ended on November 4, 2026. The import expo was due to open the next day.
- Where
- The Canton Fair was held in Guangzhou; the import expo is scheduled to open in Shanghai.
- Why
- The events provide platforms for China and other countries to develop trade and cooperation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
JAN SZMIDT first travelled to China and attended the Canton Fair to look for suppliers.
He returned to Guangzhou and met Chinese tool supplier Su Gang at the fair.
The two partners established a foreign-trade company in China.
The 140th Canton Fair ended, marking the fair’s 70th anniversary year.
The ninth China International Import Expo was scheduled to open in Shanghai.
- Canton Fair
- 140th edition ended November 4, 2026
- Anniversary
- 70 years since the fair was founded
- Buyers’ alliance
- 58 companies from 32 countries and regions
- JAN SZMIDT
- First attended the Canton Fair in 1995
- Suppliers in China
- About 1,000 for JAN SZMIDT, with 70% to 80% found at the Canton Fair
- Import expo
- Ninth edition scheduled to open November 5 in Shanghai
What people are saying
I am 62 years old and have been coming to the Canton Fair for 30 years, almost half my life, so it is like my family. I love this big family very much.
The first group of our buyers’ alliance includes 58 leading purchasing companies from 32 countries and regions, and it will help our domestic exhibitors better connect with international markets.
The Canton Fair is an important platform and effective support for our economic and trade relations with the world.
The Canton Fair mainly focuses on Chinese manufacturing exports to the world. The import expo offers the world opportunities for trade and exports through China’s continuously expanding and growing market.