139th Canton Fair attracts 245,000 foreign buyers in first two phases

The first two phases of the 139th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, have attracted 245,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions as of Monday afternoon, an increase of 2.2 percent from the same period of the previous edition, according to the China Foreign Trade Center.

A total of 140 overseas industrial and commercial organizations attended the fair. Another 344 leading enterprises from the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and other places also participated, marking a 4.9 percent increase from the same period of the previous edition.

This year's fair is being held in three offline phases in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, and will run until May 5.

The second phase, held from April 23 to 27, focuses on "quality home life," including building materials, furniture, household products, gifts and decorations.

The fair highlighted China's home furnishing sector, showcasing cutting-edge materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and forward-looking design concepts.

The event put a strong emphasis on sustainability, with exhibitors launching green products including biodegradable daily-use tableware and eco-friendly building materials. These diversified, professional, and full-cycle green solutions attracted strong interest from international buyers.

"There's so much variety to choose from, and more sustainable products, more environmentally friendly products. I think we've seen so much development all the time. There are new designs happening all the time. I think it's really creative, which we're enjoying," said a New Zealand buyer.

"I think you are doing a very good job in producing cutting-edge new products, new technologies, new ideas. I can say that definitely anyone who wants to start, they would have to start with the Canton Fair," said a British buyer.

The third phase, scheduled for May 1 to 5, will focus on toys, maternity and childcare products, home textiles, stationery, as well as health and leisure goods.

Established in 1957, the Canton Fair takes place twice a year in Guangzhou, the provincial capital city of south China's Guangdong. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and it has been hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.

139th Canton Fair attracts 245,000 foreign buyers in first two phases

The Chinese Ministry of Finance on Monday commended Moody's decision to affirm China's A1 sovereign credit rating and upgrade its credit outlook to stable.

A ministry official said that this rating has reflected Moody's recognition of the strong resilience demonstrated by China's macroeconomic and fiscal strength amid external shocks, as well as new drivers and progress in the country's high-quality economic development.

Over the past five years, China's cumulative GDP increase has exceeded 35 trillion yuan (about 5.13 trillion U.S. dollars), which is equivalent to recreating the economic output of the Yangtze River Delta region in the country's east, according to the official.

Despite geopolitical and economic risks and challenges, China still achieved an average annual growth rate of 5.4 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), contributing about 30 percent to global economic growth, the official noted.

China's economy exceeded market expectations to achieve a rapid growth rate of 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026, explaining that against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global trade environment and continuously rising geopolitical risks, the Chinese government has implemented a package of macroeconomic regulation policies and strengthened policy coordination, according to the ministry's response.

The Chinese economy has withstood pressure and moved toward innovation-led growth and optimized economic structure while demonstrating the advantages of a supersized market, a complete supply chain system and strong export competitiveness, said the official, noting that these are the cornerstones supporting China's sovereign creditworthiness.

"We will further comprehensively deepen reforms, continue to promote economic structural transformation, steadily enhance fiscal sustainability, accelerate the cultivation and expansion of new quality productive forces, and consolidate the foundation for stable economic operation," the official said.

By leveraging the certainty of its sustained and sound economic and social development, China will contribute more to world economic recovery and prosperity, the official added.

China commends Moody's affirmation of its A1 credit rating, outlook upgrade