136th Canton Fair features digital, green future of global trade

The 136th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, is set to open on Tuesday in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in the south, featuring the digital and green future of global trade.

As of last Friday, 138,000 overseas buyers from 209 countries and regions had pre-registered for the 136th Canton Fair, which will take place in three phases through Nov. 4.

And 223 of the world's top 250 global retailers are expected to attend, up 24 percent from the previous edition.

Nearly 4,600 companies from home and abroad will hold exhibitions for the first time, and 8,000 leading Chinese startups and major players in the domestic high-tech and manufacturing sectors will attend.

This year's exhibition will feature 74,000 booths across 55 zones covering a total area of 1.55 million square meters.

"The overseas buyers have traveled across oceans and journeyed thousands of miles to the Canton Fair, which reflects the global business community's trust in Chinese products and their confidence in the Chinese economy," said Chu Shijia, the Canton Fair's deputy director and secretary general, at a press conference in Beijing on Oct. 10.

As many as 390,000 digital and smart products and 1.04 million green and low-carbon ones, a surge of 300 percent and 130 percent from the 135th fair, respectively, will be presented at the fair.

For the first time, the fair will feature hydrogen energy products in its new energy section and dedicate a new section to energy storage solutions, with the expected attendance of 110 enterprises in the related sector.

According to Chu, Chinese products and brands will be in the limelight at this fair.

"At the Canton Fair, Chinese products and brands have reached a new level of high-quality development. Amid the wide array of fine products to be displayed at this fair, Chinese products stand out for their high quality and cost-effectiveness as well as trendiness and high level of safety, indicating that China has the confidence and capability to provide the world with more and better products made and created in China," he said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) after the press conference.

Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the Canton Fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade.

136th Canton Fair features digital, green future of global trade

China's pledge of full zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations has been hailed by the African Union (AU) Commission as both a milestone in the continent's modernization drive and proof of China's role as a "true friend" to Africa.

Announced in June 2025, the policy underscores China's readiness to negotiate and sign the China‑Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development. By removing tariffs across all product categories, the initiative is expected to cut trade costs for African exporters, expand market access to China, and strengthen the predictability and efficiency of cross‑border commerce.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed gratitude to China, contrasting Beijing's approach with that of other countries that have imposed tariffs or sanctions on Africa.

"Let me start by really being grateful to China. When other countries are imposing tariffs and sanctions on the continent, China is opening its heart and doors for the African member countries. So you know your friends when you are in need. A friend in need is a friend indeed, so China is really a friend to the African countries. And this is the best illustration of that friendship," said Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson.

AU chief calls China "true friend" after zero‑tariff pledge to Africa