The 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, has seen more than 300 new product launch events by Sunday, the last day of the first phase of the event.
The fair, which opened Wednesday in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, set new records for exhibition area, the number of booths, and the number of participating companies.
Focusing on "Advanced Manufacturing," the first phase of the fair attracted over 5,900 high-tech exhibitors, companies that apply specialized, sophisticated techniques to produce unique, novel products.
The second phase of the fair will run from April 23 to 27 under the theme "Quality Home Life," showcasing the latest developments in green building materials, smart housewares, and creative living solutions.
The Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. Established in 1957, 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.
First phase of 139th Canton Fair features over 300 new product launch events
Soaring fuel prices in the United Kingdom, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, have pushed many commuters to seek out more affordable and flexible alternatives, with electric two-wheelers emerging as a popular choice for those looking to move away from expensive prices at the pump.
Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, petrol prices in Britain have risen by nearly 20 percent while diesel has climbed by more than 25 percent, reaching three-year highs.
Much of that comes as a result of the disruption caused along the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a considerable share of the world's oil and gas supplies are transported.
The increased cost of transportation has added to the financial pressures facing many UK households amid an already challenging cost-of-living crisis, and is now forcing many to rethink their daily travel options.
In Edinburgh, motorists say they are starting to feel the pinch as they count the mounting cost of refueling their cars.
"So normally I pay like 17 pounds to fill my tank; now it's gone up to 22 quid. So, don't get me wrong, it's not a lot of a difference, but it's still going up, isn't it?" said Nathan, a resident.
"I had a full tank last Thursday and it's already just about to be empty. So of course, I really need to figure out what's going to work for me," said another resident named Derek.
However, against this backdrop of surging fuel prices, electric bicycles and electric motorcycles have gained traction for their low running costs and convenience in getting around the congested streets of the Scottish capital.
"What I think is good about them is the fact that it's pretty practical. It's cheap, it's cost effective, I'd say," said Derek.
Shops selling these electric two-wheelers have recently seen a noticeable increase in customer inquiries, as more people weigh up the benefits of switching to these more nimble vehicles as a more cost-friendly and time-saving solution.
"I think I pay maybe 40 or 50 pounds a week just on fuel alone. And then if you get a motorbike, it's so much cheaper than that, it's maybe like 10 percent of that cost. So in a car, it could take me up to an hour to get to work. But with one of these, because you're flexible when you don't need to sit in traffic, you can just go through the middle lane. It'd be so much [faster] -- maybe like maybe half an hour, 40 minutes. So I'll be saving at least 20 minutes each way easily," said William, another Edinburgh local.
Rising fuel prices driving more UK residents towards electric two-wheelers
