The 137th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, concluded in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province on Monday, with the event seeing active business matchmakings and a significant increase in the number of participating buyers.
As of Sunday, the intended export transactions reached at the three-phase event, which was held from April 15 to May 5, totaled 25.44 billion U.S. dollars.
Of the total amount, transactions between China and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries accounted for over 60 percent, serving as a key driver of the growth in deals.
More than 280,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions participated in the fair, marking a 17.3 percent increase year on year.
With an exhibition area covering 1.55 million square meters, the 137th Canton Fair hosted approximately 31,000 exhibitors across some 74,000 booths.
This year's event set up an exhibition area for service robots for the very first time, with 46 leading domestic robotics companies showcasing over 500 products across 60 sub-sectors.
"[I'm] very happy with the opportunity to come to Canton Fair. I think it's really a good place to open mind, to get some new ideas, make new connections, [and] take a look of all the new products that China offers to the world. I think China is a very good country with very good ideas and technologies. I think now it's a good time to make some business together," said Maria Varga, a Brazilian buyer.
More than 4.55 million new products were put on display during the course of the fair.
The 138th Canton Fair is scheduled to take place in three phases starting on October 15 this year, with exhibitor recruitment and investment promotion efforts already underway.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China and has been hailed as the barometer of China’s foreign trade.
137th Canton Fair comes to successful conclusion
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
