The grand finale of the 135th Canton Fair is in full swing, captivating visitors with a dazzling array of traditional enterprises that have embraced innovation by integrating new materials, techniques, and models into their products.
This infusion of creativity has not only ignited the development of new industry frontiers but has also garnered widespread acclaim for their exceptional offerings.
Stealing the spotlight is a remarkable creation, a table tennis ball crafted from an extraordinary new material. This cutting-edge innovation is poised to become the official competition ball for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympic Games, attracting fervent interest from global buyers who have flocked to the Canton Fair in search of the next big thing.
While the fair showcases a diverse range of industries, the textile and apparel sector takes center stage in the third phase, boasting an impressive participation of 4,652 companies, an impressive 26 percent increase compared to the previous edition. Textile exhibitors are on a mission to redefine the industry's international competitive advantage, continuously enhancing product value by optimizing quality, pioneering new materials and using the power of Internet technologies.
"The response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have achieved fruitful results. So far, more than 900 buyers from Europe, America, and other regions have visited our booth for negotiations and cooperation," said Liu Jiaqi, an exhibitor.
"I think China is always innovating. They are always showing us new products and new opportunities to innovate," said Mario Moraki, a Honduran buyer.
Themed as "A Better Life," the third phase of the 135th Canton Fair, which commenced on Wednesday in the vibrant city of Guangzhou, focuses on trendy household goods and daily essentials, bringing forth a wave of excitement and anticipation.
Running in three five-day installments from April 15 to May 5, the Canton Fair has established itself as a paramount indicator of China's foreign trade. Since its inception in 1957, this biannual event continues to captivate the world, showcasing the nation's relentless pursuit of innovation and its pivotal role in shaping the global marketplace.
Innovation flourishes at final phase of 135th Canton Fair
China has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of museums built nationwide over the past decade, with registered museums soaring from 3,866 in 2012 to 6,833 by 2023, according to statistics from the National Cultural Heritage Administration in China.
This growth represents an average of one new museum added every 1.2 days. In 2023 alone, over 40,000 exhibitions and 380,000 educational activities were held in museums nationwide, attracting a record 1.29 billion visitors.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the Qin and Han Museum of Shaanxi History Museum, was officially opened to the public on Saturday.
The newly opened museum features treasures from the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 220 AD), enhanced by various multimedia technologies for display. Since this new hall began its trial run at the end of last year, it has drawn over 300,000 visitors.
The National Museum in Beijing showcases a diverse collection of significant cultural artifacts, such as a C-shaped jade dragon from the Hongshan culture, bronze heads and masks from the ancient Sanxingdui civilization, and ancient inscriptions carved on bones and tortoise shells.
Meanwhile, museums are also trying various innovative displays by using modern technology.
The Hubei Provincial Museum in central China exhibits a 3D reconstructed portrait of "Xi," the owner of bamboo slips unearthed from a Qin tomb at Shuihudi, Yunmeng County of Hubei Province.
The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum in north China's Shanxi Province features musicians recreating the ancient music scene depicted in the mural "Banquet of Couples."
The Shandong Museum in east China uses data sampling and 3D virtual animation to recreate the music and dance scene of the Qi state (a regional state some 3,000 years ago) with figurines.
The Zhejiang Provincial Museum in east China uses digital means to project the "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" landscape painting as a five-meter tall, 40-meter long e-scroll, allowing visitors to feel immersed in the artwork.
Saturday marks the 48th International Museum Day, an annual event held on the 18th of May. In China, museums across various regions are attracting more visitors than ever before. As a result, historical and cultural exhibits are becoming increasingly popular and engaging with the public, presenting history and culture in a dynamic and appealing way.
China's museum numbers soar, hosting record exhibitions, visitors in 2023
