The 138th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, concluded Tuesday in Guangzhou, south China, setting a new record with over 310,000 overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions.
The turnout marked a 7.5 percent increase from the previous edition.
Exhibitors and buyers from China and abroad reported strong gains during the expo, with many already preparing for the next Canton Fair, slated for April next year.
"This is our first time here, and to be honest, we've gained a lot. For the next Canton Fair, we hope to bring more of our AI products and robotics to showcase China's advanced offerings to global visitors and secure more business opportunities and orders," said Zheng Hongxia, an exhibitor from Shenzhen of Guangdong.
"The Canton Fair evolves significantly each year, with improvements in technology, a wider variety of products, as well as enhanced quality and services. This platform has been incredibly helpful for us. This year, we recommended over 200 entrepreneurs to attend, and our goal for next time is to recommend around 1,000," said Muhammad, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan.
"The Canton Fair is the largest and best import-export trade fair in the world. It offers a good chance for us to find new partners for cooperation," said an exhibitor from South Korea.
"I think it's a very famous exhibition all around the world, it's very good," said Sergei, a Russian buyer.
The 139th Canton Fair will take place from April 15 to May 5 next year. Organizers said preparations will soon begin to enhance the services offered at the event.
"Following the conclusion of this Canton Fair, we will promptly start preparing for the next edition, continuously optimizing the structure of participating enterprises and products to better support the high-quality development of foreign trade," said Ma Xiaohan, a staff member of the Canton Fair Office at the China Foreign Trade Centre.
138th Canton Fair wraps up with record attendance of over 310,000 overseas buyers
Farmers in Gaza have been forced to find innovative ways to keep their livelihoods ticking over following the devastating conflict, with many now growing vegetables inside recycled tin cans after losing their land during the war.
Inside temporary greenhouses in southern Gaza, Palestinian farmers are growing mint and vegetables inside empty food cans recycled from aid supplies, after suffering severe shortages of essential agricultural materials.
Local farmers say they have been searching for simple alternatives to continue farming amid the widespread destruction, with many seeing their land and crop fields decimated.
"The idea came from the shortage of nylon in Gaza. We started using empty vegetable cans left behind by charity kitchens. We use them as an alternative to nylon and plant inside them," said Mohammad Zaarab, a Palestinian farmer.
Israel's designation of what Palestinians call the 'yellow zone' has swallowed up most of Gaza's available farmland, reducing usable agricultural land to only around six percent, while farmers continue to face the risk of Israeli fire during their work.
"We are exposed to gunfire in this area. Whenever they shoot at us, we hide until the firing stops. We work in fear and risk our lives while farming," said Shadi Zaarab, another farmer.
According to the United Nations, agriculture made up around 10 percent of Gaza's economy before the war, with more than 560,000 Palestinians relying on farming, livestock, or fishing for their livelihoods.
Gaza's Ministry of Agriculture says reusing empty food cans has become one of the few remaining ways for farmers to continue growing and providing food after the war that began in 2023 devastated much of the agricultural sector.
"Since October 7 [2023], about 86 percent of Gaza's agricultural land has been destroyed by the [Israeli] occupation. Farmers have turned to alternatives, especially for growing aromatic plants that Gaza's farmers traditionally relied on for production," said Ali Abu Amer, director of the Khan Younis Governorate under Palestine's Ministry of Agriculture.
The recycled can practice adopted by farmers also has some positive knock-on effect, as collecting and preparing empty food cans has also created limited work opportunities for unemployed youth amid the Israeli blockade.
Gaza farmers turn to growing vegetables in recycled tin cans after losing land
Gaza farmers turn to growing vegetables in recycled tin cans after losing land
