Canton Fair to break records with 179 zones, highlighting cutting-edge tech: official

This year’s China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, will break records with 179 specialized exhibition areas, including nine new zones for smart wearables, display technology, consumer drones and other emerging sectors, a commerce official said Friday.

The 139th edition of the fair will run from April 15 to May 5 in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

Officials said the event will set records in exhibition area, booth numbers and participating firms. The fair will cover 1.55 million square meters, about the size of 217 soccer fields, house 75,700 booths and host more than 32,000 companies, including about 3,900 making their debut.

Wang Zhihua, director general of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, said preparations are nearly complete and emphasized the fair's expanded scope and technological edge. He noted that this year's edition will not only break records in scale but also showcase China’s push into emerging industries and digital innovation.

"This year's Canton Fair will expand to 179 specialized exhibition areas, including nine newly added ones for smart wearables, display technology, consumer drones, integrated housing products and garden facilities. The number of high-quality enterprises that use specialized and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products and that feature single-product champions will exceed 11,000, representing a 5.1 percent increase and surpassing previous years. Among these enterprises, 61 percent have applied new technologies and models such as the industrial internet, artificial intelligence, 5G, and green and low-carbon technologies in their production or services," he said.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is China's longest-running comprehensive trade event and a barometer of the country’s foreign trade. It has been held 138 times, helping forge ties with more than 229 countries and regions worldwide.

Canton Fair to break records with 179 zones, highlighting cutting-edge tech: official

The Spanish people have pinned high hopes on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's upcoming visit to China, hoping that the visit will result in stronger cooperation in trade, renewable energy and global governance as the two countries look to deepen ties amid a complex international landscape.

The visit, scheduled for April 11 to 15, is Sanchez's fourth visit to China in four years. It follows high-level exchanges between the two countries last year, including visits by the Spanish King and the prime minister. It is widely viewed as a key moment to consolidate bilateral relations and strengthen communication between China and Europe.

In Madrid, residents expressed hope for closer ties.

"I think strengthening cooperation in science, technology and trade is the most important thing for both Spain and China," said Manuel, a local resident.

"I hope more Chinese companies will do business in Spain. Many Chinese firms are strong and active in advanced sectors like renewable energy, where I work. This would bring more business opportunities," said another resident Patricia.

China is a key partner for Spain within the European Union. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations, bilateral relations have maintained a high level of development, with solid progress in various fields that has tangibly benefited the people of both countries.

Spanish international relations expert Juan Arguello noted that amid current global energy price volatility and rising geopolitical uncertainty, Spain is seeking more diverse and pragmatic foreign cooperation.

"This visit is of great importance, and the timing is critical, especially with international energy prices continuing to rise. Spain imports a large amount of technology products from China, including batteries. Sanchez is also looking to accelerate the energy transition and open up new markets by deepening ties with China," he said.

Spanish public expects PM's China visit to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors