The upcoming Phase Two of the 138th Canton Fair will highlight quality home life, providing a one-stop home furnishing procurement platform that integrates innovative designs with green and low-carbon concepts to global buyers.
The second phase of the event, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, is set to open on Thursday in Guangzhou and features 15 exhibition zones hosting approximately 25,000 booths expected to display household products, gifts, decorations, building materials, and furniture.
Over 10,000 enterprises are expected to participate in the second phase, including more than 2,900 high-quality and specialized exhibiting companies, emerging "Little Giant" companies known for precision and innovation, single-product manufacturing champions, and national high-tech enterprises.
The five-day first phase of the 138th Canton Fair ended on Sunday with significant increases in 12 key metrics, including a new high in the number of overseas buyers and leading participating companies.
Focusing on advanced manufacturing, the first phase attracted over 157,000 offline overseas buyers from 222 countries and regions, representing a 6.3 percent increase compared to the previous edition.
The second phase of the Canton Fair is scheduled to run through Oct 27, and its third phase is set from Oct 31 to Nov 4.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in spring and autumn. 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.
Canton Fair's upcoming Phase 2 to highlight innovative, green home life
Canton Fair's upcoming Phase 2 to highlight innovative, green home life
Canton Fair's upcoming Phase 2 to highlight innovated, green home life
Due to the pressure on essential services caused by prolonged power shortages, Gaza residents are facing limited access to water, healthcare and sanitation, further deteriorating the already fragile humanitarian situation.
In Gaza, power cuts have become a daily reality. With electricity available only intermittently, many civilians are struggling to carry out even the most basic tasks.
The consequences are widespread, affecting everything from water supply systems to critical infrastructure. As outages persist, maintaining essential services is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
"I carry water in small containers. We don't have a large water tank, not even 500 liters, so we have to keep going back and forth, and water is not always available. Sometimes my son returns without being able to fill it," Mohammad Habib, a displaced Palestinian, told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
This ongoing energy crisis has also had a severe impact on critical hospitals, which rely heavily on generators to continue operating.
"If the generators stop, it will be a catastrophe and a real danger to everyone in the hospital, especially premature babies, dialysis patients and those in intensive care, as well as blood banks. Most departments would shut down. We are sounding the alarm that hospitals will stop functioning if fuel and oil are not allowed in as soon as possible," said Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital.
International humanitarian organizations have warned of a potential collapse of essential services in Gaza if electricity supplies are disrupted. "Hospitals and medical centers in Gaza that are still able to function work under immense pressure and at risk of collapse. These hospitals work with shortages in energy, medical supplies and equipment," said Amani Al-Naouq, spokesperson for International Committee of Red Cross in Gaza.
According to Gaza's municipality, about 75 water wells rely on electricity and are at risk of shutting down, which would worsen conditions for displaced families whose homes have been destroyed.
Power shortages intensify humanitarian crisis in Gaza
