Innovative household products enhance exhibitors' international competitiveness at Canton Fair

Innovative household products featuring multifunctionality and cultural designs have helped exhibitors to enhance international competitiveness at the ongoing 139th China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.

A building material that can be used not only for wall decoration, but also as a screen after being charged with electricity, is shining at the building and furniture exhibition area of the event's second phase, running from April 23 to 27 under the theme of "Quality Home Life."

"It enables our building material to become smarter and more flexible. At present, the product has entered European and the U.S. markets for sale, and has been well received in the markets," said exhibitor Feng Liangcheng, general manager of international business at Phomi Holding, developer of the building material.

Many exhibitors have shown household products that integrate traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern industrial designs, such as a set of vase-shaped multifunctional tableware inspired by ancient China's Dunhuang culture.

"It's very impressive. It's something new and very interesting, innovative in some points while matching the cultural meaning of those products throughout the China history. That's what gets me the most, I guess," said Edoardo Orlandini, an Italian buyer.

The event also features an upgraded trade service area where 86 domestic design institutions are providing services for overseas purchasers and exhibitors, including not only industrial design, interior design and brand consulting services, but also new services like fashion design, artificial intelligence design and intangible cultural heritage design. It aims to create a platform where designers and manufacturers get in touch and closely cooperate.

The 139th Canton Fair, which opened on April 15, consists of three phases. The first phase, which concluded on April 19, was themed "advanced manufacturing," while the third phase, which will take place from May 1 to 5, will focus on "Better Life."

Innovative household products enhance exhibitors' international competitiveness at Canton Fair

Iran's Imam Khomeini International Airport resumed limited international passenger flights on Saturday after more than 50 days of suspension, with passenger traffic expected to recover gradually as routes reopen in phases.

Destinations including Medina in Saudi Arabia, Muscat in Oman and Istanbul in Türkiye were among the first to reopen, as travelers took to the skies for the first time since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on the country, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets across several countries in the region.

For many passengers, the reopening brought long-awaited reunions with loved ones abroad.

"I am traveling to Istanbul to visit my daughter. She is a student. It has been very difficult. I couldn't stay in touch with her because we didn't have internet. I'm very happy that flights have resumed," said Narges, a passenger at the airport.

Others said the suspension had forced them to attempt difficult overland journeys, only to remain stuck for weeks.

"This is the first flight that allows us to finally send our child to Frankfurt. She is a student. We tried once or twice to reach Frankfurt by land through Ankara, but we were stuck for nearly 50 days. We are very happy now," said Abolfazl, a passenger.

Some travelers remained concerned, saying the ceasefire between the United States and Iran felt fragile.

"We are worried because of the war. We heard some thuds in Tehran a few nights ago. No one knows what will happen," said a passenger who gave his name as Hassan.

Airport officials said only a handful of destinations were currently available, but the gradual return of international flights marks a cautious step toward normalization, with key international routes still in the planning stage.

"Flights to Beijing and other Chinese cities have long been a major part of this airport's schedule and remain so. Cargo flights are definitely operating. Passenger flights, as I mentioned, are being planned for implementation," said Ramin Kashef Azar, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City.

Tehran's largest airport resumes int’l flights after more than 50 days