Businesses both domestic and from around the world have arrived in south China for one of the country's largest trade events. The Canton Fair has been held in the city of Guangzhou since 1957, and is often seen as a major platform for those looking to do business with China. It's also an opportunity to establish operations in the country's diverse market. CGTN's Omar Khan reports from the fair.

China's largest import-export fair is now underway in the southern city of Guangzhou.

Nearly 25-thousand enterprises are attending this edition of the Canton Fair.

Many of them are returning vendors, and hope to continue using the global event, as a platform for success.

OMAR KHAN CANTON FAIR COMPLEX, GUANGZHOU "It's the 125th edition of the Canton Fair, which has earned its keep as a successful trade expo. So what's made it such a reliable event, and why do companies from around the world keep coming back?"

For one company from Turkey, the fair serves as a medium to foster new business links, and even maintain already existing partnerships.

NECMETTIN OZTURK EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, ZILAN "The fair allows for everybody to come to one place, and meet suppliers and for factories to find clients and even new suppliers. It's very helpful for both sides, and it's a win-win situation."

This spring session of the trade gathering has a more robust focus on new technology, and the latest innovations from both China and abroad.

It explains why this year will see an estimated 5 percent increase in foreign visitors.

As for local companies, they're welcoming all the business they can get, while also shifting their efforts towards the Chinese market.

SAM YUEN GENERAL MANAGER, VANWARD "Now our company focuses on the domestic market, and percentage between the overseas and the domestic market is 60 percent for the domestic market, and 40 percent for the overseas market."

Both China-based and overseas companies are reaping benefits from the trade expo, a goal specific to this edition of the fair, set out by organizers.

And even for those who've been coming year after year to south China, there's still always a new partnership or business deal waiting to be signed.

BERT PENNARTS OWNER, TRACOPEN "I've been coming here about 25 years, coming twice a year. We have several brands that we sell in Europe, and we're basically looking for new suppliers, looking for new items, talking to existing suppliers. The Canton Fair has always been the major event during the year. I'll be here in April and October, looking for new items. There's no similar event, anywhere. So, this is it."

For the next three weeks, this 1-point-2 million square meter venue will be packed with buyers and visitors from nearly 40 countries and regions.

16 categories of products will be displayed across 51 exhibition areas.

And though the Canton Fair can often be a headache - navigating through a sea of people and product displays - it's undeniably a window of opportunity for many.

Omar Khan, CGTN, Guangzhou.