New designs, sustainable materials draw global buyers to Canton Fair's footwear section

The footwear section at the ongoing 136th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, has garnered significant attention from global buyers.

Buyers from the regions like North America, Africa, and Southeast Asia gathered in Guangzhou, the venue of the fair, to discuss potential partnerships as stylish shoes with modern designs draw their interests.

"This time we're interested in shoes because there's a very big market in Mexico now. The designs are amazing. There's a very very very big opportunity, because the Chinese people are very creative. I think the China market has evolved into being a pioneer in design, and it's actually amazing," said Mexican buyer James.

"I think it's a great experience for producers and for people who design clothes to come here. You can learn a lot. There's a lot of new designs," American buyer Elizabeth Canasco said.

In addition, the footwear section of the fair also highlighted new, eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable and waterproof breathable materials, enhancing comfort and durability while reducing environmental impact.

"We're innovating in both environmental and comfort aspects, introducing new biodegradable and eco-friendly materials, which are a favorite feature among our clients," said an exhibitor named Zeng Weiliang.

One exhibitor showcased AI-driven customization service, allowing customers to design their own shoes on a digital platform, choosing styles, colors, and materials.

"From the initial concept to sketches, digitization, 3D rendering, producing the physical item, followed by photographing it for the client to confirm the overall effect, the whole process used to take two to three weeks to as long as two to three months. Our AI software replaces this complex process, enabling us to design a concept within a minute," said AI service exhibitor Li Jianqi.

With a 58,400-square-meter exhibition space, the footwear section at this edition's Canton Fair hosted 1,240 exhibitors, maintaining the same number of booths as the previous edition.

New designs, sustainable materials draw global buyers to Canton Fair's footwear section

New designs, sustainable materials draw global buyers to Canton Fair's footwear section

A Chinese envoy said Friday that Japan is not qualified at all for a permanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations (UN).

A meeting of the inter-governmental negotiations on the reform of the UN Security Council was held at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, to discuss equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council.

In his speech, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said that the trend of multipolarity in today's world is irreversible, and the collective rise of the Global South is unstoppable. Since the founding of the United Nations 80 years ago, he said, there are still 59 member states that have never been admitted to the Security Council.

Fu noted that the representation and voice of developing countries should be enhanced, and more small and medium-sized countries with independent foreign policies should be allowed to enter the Security Council. It is especially important to address the historical injustice suffered by Africa and make priority and special arrangements for Africa's demands, he said.

"The Security Council must not be allowed to become a club of the rich and the big. Reform should not benefit only a few countries. Any country that participates in the Security Council should represent the interests of its region. They should also gain wide recognition from countries in the region," said Fu.

Fu reiterated that Japan is not qualified to seek a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

"Finally, I would like to emphasize that Japan refuses to reflect on its historical crimes of aggression, openly tramples on the post-war international order, and interferes in the sovereignty of other countries. Such a country has no qualification to demand to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council," he said.

Japan not qualified for permanent seat on UN Security Council: Chinese envoy