The 136th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, wrapped up on Monday in Guangzhou in southern China.
The three-phase event was held from Oct 15 to Nov 4, focusing on advanced manufacturing, quality home goods, and lifestyle products.
With an exhibition area covering 1.55 million square meters in total and featuring 74,000 booths across 55 exhibition zones and 171 specialty sections, the latest fair drew over 30,000 exhibitors on site.
More than 1.15 million new products were displayed, including 390,000 digital and smart items, reflecting a 300 percent increase from the previous fair, along with over 1.04 million eco-friendly, low-carbon products, marking a 130-percent-rise from the previous fair.
The fair also featured 400 new product launches, up over 30 percent from the last edition.
As of Sunday, attendance reached an all-time high with 253,000 international buyers from 214 countries and regions, reflecting a 2.8-percent-increase from the previous fair and exceeding the 250,000 mark for the first time.
The fair also recorded an intended export turnover of 24.95 billion U.S. dollars, representing a 1-percent-increase from the last edition.
The 137th Canton Fair is scheduled for April 15, 2025, with exhibitor recruitment and investment promotion efforts already underway.
Launched in 1957, the biannual Canton Fair is China's largest trade fair and widely seen as a barometer of the country's foreign trade. It takes place every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in south China, typically featuring three phases per session.
Record-setting 136th Canton Fair concludes
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday accused Israel and the United States of fueling instability in Syria, reaffirming Iran's steadfast support for the Syrian government. During his visit to Türkiye, Araghchi noted that, based on the information obtained by Iran, the terrorist groups operating in Syria are linked to both Israel and the United States. He asserted that the ongoing conflict in Syria is part of a broader plan by those two countries to destabilize the region.
As a neighboring country, he emphasized the urgent need to take swift and effective measures to prevent further instability in Syria. Iran, he declared, will continue to stand firmly by the Syrian government and its people.
At a press conference on the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stressed the responsibility of Iran and other parties to mobilize the international community in the fight against terrorism. He condemned the U.S. for its military presence in Syria, calling it "illegal".
"We believe that terrorism and extremist groups have never posed a real threat to the United States. Ironically, the U.S. claims its presence in Syria is to combat these groups. But if that's true, why have terrorist and extremist groups proliferated in the region? The U.S. presence in Syria is an act of aggression and a violation of international law. It is clear that one of the reasons terrorism has taken root and continues to thrive in Syria over the past few years is the stationing of U.S. forces there," said Baghaei.
Baghaei emphasized that regional countries have reached a consensus that the spread of terrorism in Syria not only endangers Syria itself but also threatens the security and stability of the entire region. This shared concern, he noted, will prompt Syria's neighboring countries to intensify their efforts to combat terrorism.
Baghaei further pointed out that the recent resurgence of terrorist activities in Syria is no coincidence and is closely tied to Israel.
The spokesman noted that over the past year, Israel has intensified its attacks on Syria, weakening the country's military forces and infrastructure, thereby creating a breeding ground for terrorist groups.
He reiterated that Iran, at the invitation of the Syrian government, has long been providing assistance to Syria, including sending military advisors. This cooperation, he added, remains ongoing.
Iran will continue to engage in consultations with regional countries to address developments in Syria and prevent the spread of conflict and terrorism across the region, said the spokesman.
Iran blames US, Israel for Syria conflict, vows continued support for Assad government
