Canton Fair: China's platform for connecting the business world
Updated 14:10, 21-Apr-2019
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The 125th Canton Fair is underway in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. Known as China's largest trade fair with a history dating back to the 1950s, the biannual event has attracted many companies from Belt and Road participating countries, especially those from Central Asia. Here's CGTN's Li Jianhua with more.
A large crowd, frantically rushing, exchanging contacts and currency. This is China's Canton Fair, the country's largest trade fair and the world's largest in 2017.
Over 60-thousand booths are expected to showcase products during the three-week long trade gathering.
This booth draws a large crowd. Hammering nails into a wooden block with a phone, people marvel at the seemingly indestructible screen protectors.
ALEX LING MANAGING PARTNER, X.ONE ASIA "This is our fourth year here, and it's the eighth time here. The first time we were here we started with four booths, much smaller. After four years, it's six booths. And we attract quite a crowd due to the unique marketing we are using."
Turkey, a new comer, has a large presence.
Business deals are in the making and connections are being forged.
FATIH KOC EXPORT SALES MANAGER "We just had a discussion with the customers. They come from Egypt. We exhibited in Egypt as well, just last month. They didn't visit the exhibition in Egypt, but they come here. We are reaching out to more people."
Buyers, coming from around the world, seeking potential business partners. India, though not part of the Belt and Road initiative, is one of the biggest buyers.
GIREESH SINGH CHOWDHURY PARTNER, RISING HONGFA GROUP "I wouldn't call it the Canton Fair for China. It's more of a Canton Fair for Asia for what China is doing as a platform for all the countries in Asia, pushing them towards the western frontier. From a commercial point of view, it is extremely stable. It's friendly, and it crosses all international boundaries."
The export transaction in the previous session reached nearly 30 billion US dollars, showing a slight decline. But the trade volume among the belt and Road participating countries saw an increase.
LI JIANHUA GUANGZHOU "Canton Fair has a long history in China, dating back to the 1950s. This year, more companies are attending the event for business opportunities, and the belt and road participating countries have the largest presence. China now has plenty of other trade fairs, but none of the companies would give up the chance to make themselves known here. LJH, CGTN, AT THE CANTON FAIR IN GUANGZHOU."