Canadian officials, exhibitors hail role of Hainan consumer products expo in trade promotion

Officials and exhibitors from Canada on Monday hailed the important role of the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in promoting international trade, saying it serves as a great platform for Canadian authorities and businesses to better understand Chinese consumers and market trends.

Canada is the Guest Country of Honor at the CICPE 2026, or the six CICPE.

The event, held in Haikou City of south China's tropical island province of Hainan from April 13-18, served as a key gateway for around 40 Canadian companies to access China's vast consumer market, with exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products from premium cosmetics and health products to agriculture and pet food.

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation of western Canada's Alberta province, said the expo helped him to understand the current market trends.

"It's really important for me to see what the market trends are here and to be able to maximize on those market trends. We're here to be able to have those conversations and see how we can be a better trading partner, and how we're going to be able to flow our high quality agricultural commodities into this country," said the minister.

Ji Hualei, a Canadian exhibitor who is launching a new wearable device at the expo, expressed his confidence in China's market potential.

"We have observed a clear shift of Chinese consumers' focus from one specific function of products to healthiness and sustainability. The CICPE provides an excellent platform for showcasing and launching our new products, and I think Hainan's zero-tariff policy will also offering us great resources," said the exhibitor.

Attending an event at the Canada Pavilion, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said more efforts will be made to boost trade and exchanges between his country and China.

"Very important for us to be at the show. As the Chinese consumer market grows, we're exploring more options to get more flights between China and Canada to build more people to people ties, and more tourism between the two countries," said Sidhu.

This year's CICPE is the first national-level consumer expo since the launch of island-wide special customs operation in the Hainan Free Trade Port in December 2025, drawing participation of more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions.

Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's vast market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Canadian officials, exhibitors hail role of Hainan consumer products expo in trade promotion

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have severely hampered UNIFIL operations, killing peacekeepers and disrupting supplies, said spokesperson Danny Ghafary, who pledged that the peacekeeping mission would remain at its post despite the challenges.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday, following an earlier announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the previous exchanges of fire have taken a heavy toll on infrastructure in Lebanon, including the recently destroyed bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon.

Ghafary said the destruction of these bridges has stalled supply deliveries to UNIFIL troops.

"UNIFIL uses these bridges to deliver supplies to its sites in South Lebanon and to swap peacekeepers. These bridges are primary channels that UNIFIL relies on. Currently, we are suffering from major challenges in using such bridges," he said.

The spokesperson also condemned Israel for attacking UNIFIL peacekeepers but pledged that the mission would continue its work.

"Unfortunately, UNIFIL peacekeepers came under 25 direct attacks during the recent conflicts. Sadly, three UNIFIL peacekeepers lost their lives while carrying out peacekeeping missions in southern Lebanon last month. Moreover, more than 15 peacekeepers were injured, some of them seriously, and are still receiving treatment in the hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery. UNIFIL peacekeepers are now working under harsh conditions and facing huge security challenges," he said.

Ghafary explained that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 mandates UNIFIL to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they deploy in southern Lebanon, calling on all parties to abide by the resolution.

"We are in South Lebanon based on Resolution 1701. The Security Council, in August 2025, decided to extend the UNIFIL mandate until December 2026. Under the current security circumstances, we are doing our utmost to fulfill our duties," he said.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon hamper UNIFIL operations: spokesperson