First exhibits for 136th Canton Fair arrive in Guangdong

The first products to be exhibited at next month's 136th Canton Fair arrived in Guangzhou City in south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday.

The products passed customs clearance procedure and are ready to be displayed before potential customers from China and the world at the major trade fair, which is scheduled to open on Oct. 15 in Guangzhou. The first shipment of 43 different products are mainly household appliances from Egypt, including gas stoves, washing machines, ovens, weighing more than 3 tonnes. The exhibits are to be transported to the Canton Fair Complex on Pazhou Island in Guangzhou.

Local customs, ports, and related enterprises have been working to streamline the logistics procedure and facilitate the whole preparation process.

"We have established special customs clearance windows for Canton Fair exhibits, providing round-the-clock service for participating companies to schedule customs clearance. Priority is given to handling procedures such as declaration, inspection, sampling, and testing. Additionally, we coordinate with the port to prepare berths, hoisting, and shifting arrangements for Canton Fair exhibits in advance, and closely follow up on regulatory operations such as shipboard inspections and container unloading inspections," said Qin Yi, the head of Nansha Port inspection sector under Guangzhou Customs.

"This is our third consecutive year of handling Canton Fair inbound exhibits. In recent years, the exhibition industry has continued to thrive, and the quantity and variety of Canton Fair exhibits have significantly increased. After the cargo arrives at the port customs, the inspection and clearance procedures are getting faster and more efficient. The whole process is quite smooth," said Li Cong, the general manager assistant of Sinotrans Beijing Fairs and Events Logistics Co.

Beyond the ports, Guangdong Customs is also working to ensure preparations for the fair run smoothly.

"We have set up a special customs clearance window for Canton Fair exhibits at the site and developed a 'Smart Expo' information system to provide round-the-clock online and offline customs clearance scheduling for participating companies. We have also established 'Canton Fair Guest Express Lanes' at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Pazhou Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal to ensure the smooth customs clearance of personnel participating in the Canton Fair," said Guo Rong, the secondary officer of the Customs of the Canton Fair Complex First Inspection Office under Guangzhou Customs.

The Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, is China's longest-running, largest, most comprehensive, and most widely attended international trade event.

This year's Canton Fair will include 55 different exhibition sections and approximately 74,000 booths.

From Oct. 15 to Nov. 4, over 29,000 enterprises from home and abroad are expected to showcase all varieties of products.

First exhibits for 136th Canton Fair arrive in Guangdong

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called for an immediate, complete and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a telephone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Wang also called for unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Wang said that the international community is deeply worried about the prolonged escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Noting that all lives are equally precious, regardless of nationality or ethnicity, Wang said that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza must end and that countering violence with violence cannot truly address the legitimate concerns of all parties.

Pointing out that the conflict in Gaza has once again demonstrated that the Palestinian question remains a core issue in the Middle East, Wang said the voices of the international community are clear, which hope all parties return to the political path of a "two-state solution" as soon as possible. Doing so would realize the peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine and the harmonious coexistence of the Jewish and Arab peoples. This is the right way to achieve stability and lasting security for all parties, including Israel, Wang said.

Wang said that China is highly concerned about the tension between Israel and Iran and believes that renewed conflict and turmoil in the region serves the interests of no one. Wang stated that China urges all parties to proceed with caution to prevent falling into a vicious circle. He said China is not self-interested in the Middle East and never engages in geopolitical contest. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has always stood on the side of peace, international law and truth and will continue to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation and restoring peace in the region, Wang said.

Wang stressed that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is mandated by Security Council resolutions to carry out peacekeeping missions, adding that the Israeli side should take concrete measures to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-Israel relations. Katz said that developing relations with China is an established policy in Israel and serves the common interests of the two countries, adding that the Israeli government abides by its consistent position on the Taiwan question.

Wang said that China maintains continuity and stability in its policy toward Israel and is willing to resume exchanges in all aspects as soon as possible when the situation eases and promote the sustainable development of the innovative comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Wang said he hopes the Israeli side will take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and nationals in Israel.

Chinese FM calls for complete, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages