Export transactions climb at 137th Canton Fair despite US tariff pressures

Export transactions at the just concluded 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, rose by 3 percent year on year to reach 25.44 billion U.S. dollars, driven largely by strong participation from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, according to the event's organizers.

The latest edition of the fair, which concluded on Monday in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, spanned 1.55 million square meters, featured around 74,000 booths, and hosted about 31,000 exhibiting companies.

Despite a drop in attendance from U.S. buyers due to tariff-related uncertainties, overall international participation saw a notable surge. As of May 4, the event had drawn over 280,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions, a 17.3-percent increase from the same period last year. Business negotiations remained active throughout the event, reflecting sustained global demand for Chinese goods.

According to the China Foreign Trade Centre, which organizes the fair, emerging markets remain the largest source of buyers. Attendees from BRI countries reached 187,500, marking a 17.4-percent increase and accounting for 64.9 percent of total foreign purchasers.

Buyers from BRICS nations totaled 72,400, a 24.1 percent year-on-year rise, while member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) contributed 64,800 buyers, up 6.9 percent.

First held in 1957, the Canton Fair is China's longest-running international trade event, held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is often seen as a barometer of the country's foreign trade performance.

Export transactions climb at 137th Canton Fair despite US tariff pressures

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle