Green and low-carbon products have been catching eyes at the ongoing China Import and Export Fair, the nation's largest comprehensive trade fair.
The 135th session of the grand expo, also known as the Canton Fair, opened Monday in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.
According to organizers, there are over 450,000 green and low-carbon products at the fair, many of them are tech-intensive and environmentally-friendly.
The power and electrical equipment exhibition area at the fair has captivated numerous business visitors, enticing them to pause and delve deeper into the diverse range of kinetic energy equipment on display. Particularly, machinery equipment driven by new energy sources like lithium batteries and hydrogen fuel cells has garnered significant attention.
Hydrogen fuel cells have characteristics such as zero carbon emissions, low noise, and high-efficiency power generation, rendering them well-suited for a wide range of applications.
A Chinese exhibitor said that the company was initially focused on manufacturing diesel engines. However, with the growing demand for new energy equipment in both domestic and international markets, the company has actively transformed itself in recent years. The company has increased its research and development in photovoltaic power stations, lithium batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and other products. Therefore, they have obtained numerous product patents in the country.
"At present, our products are exported to Europe and the Americas, and these products have received high praise from our customers," said Guo Weiwei, a Chinese exhibitor.
"I'm looking for, basically, power banks and mobile accessories. We're going to take care of the climate afterwards, so it's very important to think about the carbon. I mean they have the full potential and they are showing interest in it," said a foreign purchaser.
At the booth of the National Foreign Trade Transformation and Upgrading Base, a machinery equipment company participating in the fair for the first time showcased an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly air compressor, primarily used in indoor decoration projects. The device has attracted numerous potential buyers due to its low noise and minimal pollution.
"It's not just the products that we have upgraded and transformed. Our factory's production equipment has also undergone a transformation and upgrade. We have implemented special treatment for wastewater and exhaust gases through our specialized equipment. In this regard, the reduction in wastewater and exhaust gases has reached 50 percent to 60 percent compared to before. The efficiency of the products has also improved by 40 percent to 50 percent," said Xu Caiying, the air compressor's exhibitor.
The most popular products among overseas customers are China's so-called "new three" products - namely EVs, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products - which have become pillars of the country's exports in recent years.
Green, low-carbon products shine at Canton Fair
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
