Over 190,000 overseas buyers had pre-registered for the 139th China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, by Monday, signaling robust global interest ahead of the event's opening.
Around 140,000 of the total pre-registered overseas buyers are from Belt and Road partner countries and regions. In addition to the strong interest from individual registrants, high-level corporate and institutional engagement remains robust. A total of 286 leading purchasing enterprises have confirmed their attendance, while 146 overseas industrial and commercial institutions are planning to bring delegations to the event.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. As the longest-running comprehensive international trade event in China, it is widely regarded as a barometer of China's foreign trade. It has been successfully held for 138 sessions and has helped establish trade relations with more than 229 countries and regions around the world.
The upcoming 139th edition is scheduled to take place from April 15 to May 5, 2026.
Over 190,000 overseas buyers pre-register for 139th Canton Fair
As of 19:49 on Monday, China's total box office revenue for the Qingming Festival holiday had surpassed 300 million yuan (about 43.6 million U.S. dollars), according to data from online platforms.
The holiday lineup features animation, family, suspense, and other genres, with "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie", "Project Hail Mary", "It's OK", and "Now I Met Her" leading the tally.
The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, and China's three-day Qingming Festival holiday started on Saturday this year. While it is a time to enjoy the greenery of springtime and to visit the graves of ancestors, the holiday has also become a busy period for cultural and tourism activities in China, including visits to the cinema.
Cinemas in Beijing's Chaoyang District, as one of the first pilot areas for China's "movie plus" initiative, are actively exploring the "ticket stub economy," allowing moviegoers to present their ticket stubs from cinemas to receive discounts and added services in subsequent consumption scenarios.
In Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the Xi'an Film Studio Experience Center for Arts of Film integrates film history with tourism, immersing visitors in the glory of classic movies.
"The exhibition gave me a systematic understanding of the historical development of Chinese film industry, allowing me to follow the footsteps of films to learn new things. I harvested both happiness and novel knowledge," said Qiu Keyu, a tourist.
The XR cinema in the park immerses visitors in film scenes.
"After putting on the XR device, I felt completely immersed - it was quite exciting," said Liu Bin, a moviegoer.
Qingming holiday box office hits 300 mln yuan
