138th Canton Fair to spotlight innovation, digital health

China's Ministry of Commerce announced at a press conference on Friday that the 138th Canton Fair, set to run in three phases from October 15 to November 4 in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, will feature new initiatives focused on showcasing innovation.

The upcoming China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, will also center on enterprise needs and deal-making, with a record-breaking lineup of over 600 product launch events, a 37 percent increase from the previous session.

According to officials, 63 percent of the new products incorporate innovative technologies, 48 percent achieve functional upgrades, 47 percent highlight green and low-carbon features, and 31 percent use cutting-edge materials. The event aims to reflect the vitality of China's foreign trade innovation.

Thirteen forums will be held during the fair, exploring topics such as trade digitalization, commercial applications of AI, and the silver economy. Over 100 organizations and about 120 speakers from government, business, academia, research, and media will take part.

"We'll see more accurate supply-demand connections. Nine 'Trade Bridge' matchmaking events will focus on high-demand sectors including new energy, home appliances, and building materials. We've collected purchasing lists from buyers early and matched them with exhibitors through multiple rounds," said Zhu Yong, director of China Foreign Trade Center.

The ministry also highlighted the growing global and domestic digital healthcare markets, pointing to high growth potential and emerging opportunities.

For the first time, the fair will feature a Smart Medical Zone with 140 booths and 47 industry-leading enterprises. Exhibits will cover upstream products across the smart healthcare chain, including medical robotics, AI diagnostics, and intelligent care technologies. Organizers hope the fair will help bridge gaps across the entire industry chain, from service providers to end-use applications.

"The Smart Medical Zone is designed to offer immersive, scenario-based demonstrations that allow participants to truly experience the progress of digital and smart medical technologies. We will also host in-person supply-demand matchmaking events to help companies explore international markets," said Wang Zhihua, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce.

138th Canton Fair to spotlight innovation, digital health

Long-term institutional funds' holdings of China A-share market value have risen 12.5 percent since the end of last year, signaling growing investor confidence in the country's capital market, said an official at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Li Chao, vice chairman of China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), revealed that since the start of this year, social security funds, pensions, insurance, and other long-term sources have made net purchases of A-shares exceeding 600 billion yuan (about 88.5 billion U.S. dollars).

Li said that investment and financing are the two fundamental functions of the capital market, while the market's role is not limited to these, they are certainly among its most important features. The two functions are complementary and mutually reinforcing, he said.

Li emphasized that in recent years, the CSRC has continuously improved the inclusiveness and adaptability of regulations, vigorously promoting the entry of long-term capital and steadily deepening comprehensive capital market reform.

He noted that the capital market is undergoing increasingly profound structural changes, the momentum of coordinated development in investment and financing is forming more rapidly, and the quality and effectiveness of service to the real economy are constantly improving.

A-share long-term funds up 12.5 pct: official